Not that long ago, clubs would actually wait until a player turned 27 before investing big money because they knew at that age they get the final product, not some project. When Real built the galacticos team they broke the transfer record twice for 28yo Figo and 29yo Zidane and then Ronaldo at 27.
Benjamin Pavard
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If I remember correctly they targeted Mazraoui around a time where Pavard was not good, it was 6 to 12 months of dreadful Football in 2021 which led to the targeting of Mazraoui on a free for summer 2022, so it kind of made sense but none of the players they brought matched Pavard which is the important point, Mazraoui and Cancelo aren't bad players, they are both above average but neither are as good as Pavard, now it's also fair to say that Pavard isn't as good as Hakimi, the best version of Carvajal, James or their current equivalents, he is a good level below that but he is also a level above what people generally consider good RBs Mazraoui being one of them.
Absolutely, he definitely doesn't rely on physicality and seems to be an intelligent player who has his extra yards in the head. Notwithstanding injuries or other problems with their health a smart player has a lot longer shelf life than one who relies on their physical attributes.
I offer nothing except an excuse to watch his goal against Argentina
He'll probably be a RB when you look at it in the classic TV line up, but will probably play more as a RCB with license to push up, with Shaw being the same. Varane in the middle. Martinez will move between CB and DM.
I get your point but R9 was 25 when they signed him; not 27.
Yea my bad, I thought he signed at 26 and turned 27 a few weeks later but it was at 25. Probably remembered him as older because he was an outlier at the time as an early bloomer, he had already such a long career when he signed there.
25 (almost 26) but many would say past his best after serious injuries. After all no striker would have done better in that conditions than Ronaldo did. Amazing player.
I agree. Although I prefer Todibo over him, I would be happy with Pavard as well. Let Ten hag sign whomever he sees fitting seamlessly in his plans.
Is Pavard injury prone?
I'm not sure if there is any truth in this
Apparently he doesn't fancy RB, wants to be a CB but we already have a solid pairing.
No way he's coming to warm the bench
Apparently he doesn't fancy RB, wants to be a CB but we already have a solid pairing.
No way he's coming to warm the bench
Unless we sign Kane as well and go 3-5-2
Since he joined Bayern in 2019 he's missed 8 games due to injury and 5 due to Covid, so he's not too bad.
I am a massive fan of this guy who offers us flexibility, however concerned with him in the aerial duels when partnering Martinez
I would very much like for this to be real.
So would I but the aerial duels and lack of recovery pace without Varane is worrying
I thought he was older than 27. Will be a great replacement for Maguire...I think.
The 1 on 1 defending is a concern though
Why is that a concern? He doesn't have a problem in 1v1 nor defending in space, he has had issues defending 2v1 though.
Wouldn't any defender be beaten 2 v 1?
No. The very best defenders especially in the context of fullbacks don't necesarily struggle in 2v1 due to a mix of excellent positioning, patience anticipation and/or athleticism. It's of course more challenging but it's one of those things that separate a good defender and an excellent one.
You really really need to be something as a full back if you have Rashford facing you and Shaw making that inner channel run and you manage to stop them all by yourself in space.
That's the difference between a top level defender and the rest. That's why it's harder to be a defender for a top team, you will generally be isolated and you need to be able to handle it. An example of that will be Pavard during the 2018 World Cup he was excellent even when isolated in 2v1(due to Mbappé not tracking back quickly enoug or the midfield help not sliding quickly enough) but you also the example of Pavard being ridiculously bad in that scenario during the 2020 Euro the reason being that he would be impatient or have poor positioning either too wide or too narrow.
I consider it a feck up any time players don't take advantage of such situations. Its possible to delay the advance of the attack while support arrive. But to stop it on your own the offensive team wasted a good situation. This is city bread and butter. Its were they get most of their chance created between De bruyne and Silva.
I didn't talk about stopping anything on your own. Delaying or making the situation worse for the opposition is the goal in that situation. Struggling is for example not making any impact.
Hopefully Bayern want a little money back in the coffers after the kane lay out.
So you mean Pavard isn't good at the delaying part? Well our current duo aren't good at it either. This is were Antony comes in handy.
I said that he has struggled in 2v1 and I should say that it's more something that was true in 2021. Before and after that he has generally been good but he has put some terrible moments on tape. And the inital point was that he doesn't have issues in 1v1.
If two attackers do their job properly there's nothing one defender can do. Doesn't matter how good he is. Can't be in two places at once.
Can't really decide if I want Pavard or Todibo more
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Pavard instantly upgrades the starting XI at RB and also offers cover at CB. It’s a no brainer for me. Todibo could wait one season if needed.
He doesn't want to play there though. I'd rather we stayed away from him purely for that reason. He isn't good enough to dictate which position he does/doesn't play. It doesn't exactly make you warm yourself to him.
We would not play him right back, we have two established ones already.
He is better at RB than the ones you already have.
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Where has Pavard said he doesn’t want to be United’s right back?
A player can have a preference and yet still perform elsewhere. Grealish for example considers himself a No8 where he likes to play most but is used exclusively as a winger for City.
Rashford loves LW but still performs as a ST for us.
I’d hardly call either Dalot or AWB (both whom I like) established. He’s better than both.
We are not in the market for a right back, we have two.
How are they not established? They play for Manchester United and Dalot plays for his country.
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My interpretation of that was that if they are established the would therefore not in be in need of replacement.
Id argue RB is our weakest starting XI position now (behind ST) hence neither are key fixtures and so neither established.
Could you tell me with 100% certainty which of AWB and Dalot is better and preferred by ETH?
Now look at Shaw and Malacia who is the established player?
He is not tall enough for the PL 
We are not gonna sign Pavard to play right back, nor does he want to.
Hes also too good to be a rotation option at centre back with Varane and Martinez.
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