Should Tottenham go all-in for World Cup winner this January?

An analysis of versatile France and Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard and if his profile would suit Tottenham.

Fans will remember Benjamin Pavard as the springy haired full back who almost ripped a hole in Argentina’s net during the World Cup. Pavard had a fine tournament marshalling the French flank and, naturally, acquired a string of high-profile admirers – including Tottenham.

Style of play

Although a global audience got to know Pavard as a buccaneering full back, he predominantly features at center back for Stuttgart. He can also play in midfield and such versatility led his old boss to describe him as a ‘Swiss Army Knife.’

Although the 22-year-old is not the most physically intimidating defender, his footballing IQ and positional acumen belie his tender years.

Pavard’s superior reading of the game means he regularly gets to the ball first without having to get his shorts dirty. He at least finds himself in a favorable position to put in a challenge, and blessed with pace, agility, and exceptional timing he usually ends up with the ball at his feet.

As World Cup viewers witnessed, Pavard is more than comfortable when in possession. Stuttgart likes to build from the back and he provides a solid base for the system – usually keeping it short and simple rather than spraying Toby Alderweireld-eque long balls.

However, he does possess the ability to split the lines with vertical passes or to surge forward into open space. These are a couple of areas Mauricio Pochettino could hone as the defender looks to rebuild his confidence following a shaky half term in the Bundesliga.

The odd mistake has crept into his game this season but the player attributed it to World Cup comedown; and the pressure of elite clubs such as Bayern Munich keeping such a close eye on him coupled with Stuttgart’s poor form couldn’t have helped matters.

Does Tottenham need him?

Tottenham doesn’t have any shortage of right backs in the first team; yet, it is still arguably its weakest position. A Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier capitulation never seems too far away; while, Kyle Walker-Peters is still a bit raw and his breakthrough is taking a lot longer than expected.

Meanwhile, if Alderweireld does leave the club, then the classy Belgian will leave a colossal void to fill. And Eric Dier’s inconsistency and Victor Wanyama’s (remember him?) perennial injury woes open up a spot in the midfield.

Pochettino loves a utility man and worked wonders with Dier, a player who arrived with little to no fanfare, in all the aforementioned positions.

Could Tottenham sign him?

It looks inevitable that the Frenchman will leave Stuttgart a lot sooner rather than later. The club lies 15th in the Bundesliga and many speculated that Bayern Munich would capture his signature.

However, the defender ruled out a move to Bavaria at the end of last summer, alluding he would to leave for foreign pastures:

"“I did not sign anything [with Bayern] … My career plan was to stay one more season in Germany.”"

But with problems at center back Bayern remains keen; while, Stuttgart’s league struggles and the appointment of Markus Weinzieri as manager have reportedly left Pavard agitating for a move away in January and back tracking on the second half of that quote.

If he fancies a switch to the Premier League then Tottenham – a club about to open one of the best stadium’s in Europe, playing regular Champions League football, and a manager with a stellar record of tutoring young talent – seems like a pretty attractive option.

Poch was interested in the summer but didn’t want to engage in a bidding war for the coveted signature. Pavard has a release clause of €35 million which can be activated at the end of this season. So, why not test Stuttgart’s mettle for a player it is destined to lose in a few months anyway?

Moreover, German clubs are not averse to pre-contractual agreements. Liverpool bought Naby Keita almost a full year before he arrived at Merseyside; while, Tottenham signed Lewis Holtby half a season early – only pushing the deal through due to an unanticipated injury to Sandro.

Overall, Pavard fits the profile for both manager and chairman. It’s difficult to improve Tottenham’s squad without spending astronomical sums, but for a pretty modest fee in today’s market Pavard would add real quality and in numerous positions.