Bayern Munich: Benjamin Pavard opens up about depression during lockdown
The summer transfer window was intriguing for Benjamin Pavard at Bayern Munich. The French defender leaving Bavaria was out of the equation at the start of the window as he was expected to play in central defense regularly after the departure of Niklas Sule. However, speculation over his future started to grow in August.
Bayern made the surprise signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, which raised doubts over Pavard’s future. The French defender was now expected to play in the right-back position regularly since there were three options in central defense. Benjamin Pavard was also attracting interest from various top clubs, but he eventually decided to stay put in Munich.
Julian Nagelsmann played a key role in convincing Pavard to stay in Bavaria. The French defender started the campaign strongly in the right-back position. Pavard missed the defeat against Augsburg after suffering a hamstring injury against Barcelona. It wouldn’t be a strange shout to call Pavard the most consistent defender for Die Roten this season.
The French international has been a solid performer for Bayern since arriving from VfB Stuttgart in 2019. His second season saw a lot of ups and down in performances, but it was largely due to what was happening with him off the pitch. While talking to Le Parisien, Pavard opened up about his bout with depression in Munich during the lockdown induced by the coronavirus in 2020.
"“It was tough. I was alone, in another country. I really wasn’t doing well. In my head, I wasn’t good. At the beginning, you tell yourself it’s nothing, it will pass, but it doesn’t.”“When you go to training and you’re not happy, you have to do something. I’m human – although I have a very nice house with a gym, I need contact with other people. I woke up, I lost appetite.”"
Pavard also admits that he eventually fought this phase and got out of it. Things are now fine with the French defender as he looks to achieve personal and team targets at the club and international levels. The French defender has done a monumental job by talking about his struggles with depression, which will help other players to cope with this problem.
In the same interview with Le Parisien, Pavard also insisted that he wants to play regularly in central defense at the club level as his career progresses. However, he is fine with playing in any position for the national team as long as he keeps contributing to France’s quest to win trophies.
Bayern is reportedly ready to open contract talks with Pavard, but they may struggle to fulfill his wish of playing in central defense in the long run. The French international is also unsure about signing a new deal despite the visit of his representatives to Sabner Strasse earlier this month.
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Nevertheless, Benjamin Pavard has a big role to play for Bayern this season. He has recovered from the hamstring injury, so he should be available for selection against Bayer Leverkusen next week. The French international could be on the move next summer, so he will be looking to win all possible trophies with Die Roten this season.