Benjamin Pavard must be Marseille's standard-bearer | OneFootball

Benjamin Pavard’s late deadline-day loan felt like a statement from Marseille. According to GetFootballNewsFrance.com, the World Cup and Champions League winner arrived insisting he only wanted OM, bringing a pedigree rare at the club in recent years.

Early performances matched the reputation. Calm on the ball, positionally sharp and comfortable across the line, his bedding-in alongside Nayef Aguerd and Timothy Weah coincided with a six-game winning run.

November reminded him the margin for error is thin at OM. Mistakes against Sporting CP and Lens preceded a slump, and Pavard later said he kept his head down, leaned on experience and believed form would turn.

Roberto De Zerbi has alternated between shielding him in public and demanding more behind the scenes. Competition from Aguerd, Amir Murillo and Weah means he is no longer untouchable, yet the coach continues to underline his value.

The Frenchman’s adaptability remains pivotal. He can operate in a back three or four, step into midfield and progress play from the right, ranking in the 88th percentile among centre-backs for progressive passing and 96th for expected assists.

His work in advanced areas remains notable, with two assists and a goal in Ligue 1. At 29, he is not at Marseille to prove himself, he is there to set standards, a burden that has brought scrutiny but also explains OM’s push to sign him last summer.

Source: GetFootballNewsFrance.com