Transfer News: Chelsea want French defender Benjamin Pavard this summer
According to Sky Sports Germany – and reported by Get French Football News (h/t DailyMail), Chelsea are assessing the possibility of signing Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich this summer.
A year after France’s World Cup victory, Pavard transferred from fellow German club VfB Stuttgart to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2019. Since then, the 26-year-old has been a dependable member of Die Roten’s right side of the defence, making 119 appearances while contributing with five goals and 11 assists.
While playing in the Allianz Arena, Pavard won the UEFA Champions League trophy and three Bundesliga championships. However, with Bayern Munich’s acquisition of Noussair Mazraoui from AFC Ajax this summer, the French international’s place in the team is in jeopardy, and a parting of the ways could be on the cards.
A number of elite clubs in Europe, including Chelsea Atletico Madrid and Juventus, are keeping an eye on Pavard’s situation. Clearly, Chelsea do not have a clear path at landing the World Cup winning Frenchman.
This summer, a significant upgrade to the defence is being led by Chelsea. The Blues are required to make at least two new central defenders following the loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents. A left-back is also required with Marcos Alonso apparently set to leave, and a new right-back may also be in the works.
Right now, Chelsea’s top candidate for the right-wing-back position is Reece James. However, the west London giants might be without a backup in the position, though, as Cesar Azpilicueta has been linked with a move to Barcelona. It would put Thomas Tuchel in a difficult position where he would have to hunt the market for a new right-sided full-back who can work in his system at Stamford Bridge.
Pavard would be an impressive choice for Chelsea to take into account. With expertise at the top level from his time at Bayern Munich, the Frenchman, who is 26 years old, is approaching the finest years of his career. Tuchel might use him as a right-sided centre-half in his three-man backline because of his ability to play as a centre-back as well.
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The German champions could expect a high sum for the services of the French star, who has two years left on his Bayern Munich deal. It might not be an easy task for Chelsea to pursue Pavard because Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also vying for his services.