Benjamin Pavard says he’s “one of the best”

In a recent interview with Canal Football Club in France (via Bundesliga.com), Benjamin Pavard backed himself as one of the world’s best defenders and said that’s why Bayern Munich have signed him. The World Cup winner’s current side, VfB Stuttgart, are fighting for survival in the league, but their poor position in the league standings has hardly anything to do with Pavard’s performances.

For those who don’t closely follow the Bundesliga, when Pavard’s name is mentioned, they’ll recognize it from that absolute wonder goal he scored for France in the World Cup in their win over Argentina. The goal was voted best goal of the tournament, but he said that the goal shouldn’t have anything to do with what makes him such a complete defender:

I didn’t sign for Bayern just because of that one shot. It’s because I’m one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Defensively, I’m strong – and technically also.

While he has established himself on the World’s biggest stage, he has admitted that his current season with Stuttgart hasn’t been as good as last season:

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy staying here – I had expected a tough season. A lot of people have been criticizing me, but very few of the actually watch my games. It’s true that I’ve made a few mistakes and I accept my share of the responsibility.

The Swabians currently find themselves in the relegation playoff spot (16th) on 21 points, which is six points above 15th-place Schalke. Additionally, Nürnberg are only three points behind Stuttgart in 17th place, so Stuttgart can’t afford to have any slip-ups between now and the end of the season if they want to have a fighting chance of staying in the top flight.

Despite Stuttgart’s current position, Pavard is eager to start the next chapter of his career at Bayern and that decision was easy for him:

I’m full of confidence and I’m hungry for titles. After winning the World Cup, I’m hugely motivated to win more. For me it was only Bayern: I couldn’t see myself going to any other club. You don’t say no to Bayern – they are the best club in Germany and they’re always winning lots of titles.

We can’t wait either, Ben!