don't get me wrong...Pavard is a very good player and just getting to his prime at 27. Question begs though, why bring in a RB unless you plan on trying to sell Dalot or AWB? He can play CB and i'm sure Erik likes his versatility much like Shaw playing LB and LCB but it's an odd move not to just sign a young CB who can come in and learn.
Benjamin Pavard
- Thread starter UnitedSofa
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That's good to know at least, my worry is that if he comes in to play both roles that he wouldn't be an upgrade on Dalot/AWB or Varane. If he can provide more in possession than the RBs whilst providing cover at CB it wouldn't be the worst signing.
He'd be a dramatic improvement at right back. I can't see him being an improvement on Varane but I don't think that's needed.
We just need to not fall apart if Martinez or Varane aren't available for any period of time.
Everyone getting excited about Pavard at RB... He wants to play as a CB. One of the reasons for wanting to leave Bayern has been accredited to him not wanting to fill in at RB anymore. I would be very surprised if he plays RB after a transfer.
Those Fbref stats someone posted a few pages back are actually comparing him to CB's where he's a RB mainly so his stats will prove favourable as a RB is a lot more involved so be careful, not saying he isn't a great player but they are inflated.
Dalot and/or AWB haven't really made the RB position their own in the same way that Casemiro has nailed down the midfield spot or the way that Martinez has commanded that CB position. They're both adequate at best and are both upgradeable. As a side note, I wouldn't really care if either were sold and upgraded.
There is an argument for a younger CB to come in with a view to that person being the long-term replacement for Varane. But, there's also an argument that says that we need a more experienced CB to act as a replacement for Varane or Martinez for injuries or a sudden loss of form. Varane is the one that probably concerns me more out of the two with his ability to pick up injuries. Pavard + Martinez could be a very workable partnership that can work together for a run of games if Varane does pick up an injury...which he is probably likely to do. It means the drop off won't be so big if Pavard were to come into that position.
The other benefit is that it also means we can have a back four of Shaw - Varane - Martinez - Pavard, which is another great option to have in some games. It gives us more options.
I have seen a few people on here say he wants to play CB, I guess for when Varane is out he should be best RCB. Imagine the ball playing ability from the back with Onana and Martinez/Pavard in front of him. They are quite a slow CB pairing though so not sure I'd go for it.
Because unlike Shaw our rb options have a question mark. You could see they cost us goals in pre season fixtures were the pressing wasn't so intense. They're both the weak link of our back line.
Make sense to bring in someone who can improve on them and at the same time cover Varane. Killing two birds with one stone.
Just need him to be solid and functional whilst holding the fort. As long as he can recycle the ball to a teammate repeatedly, it’s a huge step up for us as a unit. Would be a dream to get a consummate progressive, but this is a player falling into our lap and upgrading us at the tail-end of a transfer window.
I’m sure he’d much rather play at RB than on the bench though.
I think the fact he plays for Bayern skews the stats a little in my opinion .
Only if we manage to sell 3-4 more deadwood and Glazers gone.
I am confident we can get both
So you’re saying opposing sides won’t close him down if he’s shaping to shoot, or rather, not show much more urgency towards him doing so than either of our current RB’s?
He's a gooner so not shocked he is disagreeing
It's a common opinion that I find interesting and perplexing. Teams like Bayern are as dominant as they are because they have very good players and bad or underwhelming players don't stay at Bayern.
True enough, but you’d not bat an eye at AWB entering the fray at those junctures as he’s arguably the best 1 on 1 FB there is. Those two interchanging throughout the season is a tough proposition for the opposition; would welcome it with open arms, personally.
The only thing I'm worried about is if he is going to be the primary cover for Varane then could we be targeted aerially?
I know it's deja vu from last summer and everyone learned their lesson about Martinez' height but I think Varane being so dominant in the air was a huge part of it working out.
Pavard doesn't seem to be a monster in the air. Hopefully Onana helps with this at set pieces at least.
That's true, I do worry about not having an aerially dominant CB without Varane but I guess it's difficult to get a like for like replacement who also excels at RB.
Looks capable in the air from clips I have seen
It's a good question.
A bayern reject? What could possibly go wrong!
Absolutely love this move.
That and he’s being compared to CBs
When has Bayern rejected him?
Pavard is 6'1 so it's not like he's a small CB....just honestly a bit puzzled by this potential move
Not a reject when you hear Tuchel wants to keep him because they couldn't get Walker
Not really a reject though is he?
He is still statitiscally around the top, the main difference is his carries stats.
I'm not because think Erik sees the likes of Todibo as a Varane replacement whereas think he is looking for someone who can offer him that defensive flexibility
that's honestly the only thing that makes any sort of sense....he wants a versatile player who can play RB or RCB just like Shaw on the opposite side
Another Bayern purchase, no thanks.
Makes me wonder why we didn’t move for Timber as he can cover RCB and RB and we seemed keen last summer?
Yeah I am certain that's his thinking,we are still on that dominant CB to replace Rapha don't worry
I recall some posters saying the same about Varane and Casemiro from Real Madrid. They've been shit, haven't they?
He's not poor or anything but it's more about how important Varane is in that aspect and what a drop off it is.
According to fbref last season
Varane won 77% of his aerial duels which puts him in the 99th percentile in Europe.
Varane lost 0.66 aerial duels per game which puts him in the 97th percentile in Europe.
Basically he was nearly the best defender in Europe at aerial duels.
Pavard won 64.1% of his aerial duels last season which put him in the 67th percentile and lost 1.28 per game which puts him in the 54th percentile.
It's a huge drop off. When you consider Paverd also would have spent more time competing against wingers who typically are not as threatening in the air as strikers.
Something to think about.
It doesn't really make sense either if we are signing him to play as a right back when the whole reason he wants to leave Bayern is because he doesn't want to play as a right back. If he's cheap cover for Varane it's not so bad, but I imagine he's on fairly high wages and will want the same here. I'd rather get an understudy for Varane who will be ready to take over in a couple of years.
What are the stats on aerial duels for Todibo & Tapsoba just out of interest