OPINION
Tottenham must avoid French World Cup star Benjamin Pavard and go all out to keep their best defender instead.
With constant speculation around the future over Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld, the club are reportedly looking at possible alternatives. The Mirror claims that France defender Benjamin Pavard is on their list of possible replacements for the Belgian this summer.
The 22-year-old has been one of the 2018 World Cup’s best performers, showing his attacking and defensive qualities against some of the best national teams the world has to offer.
In normal circumstances, he would be a good addition to any squad but he is in no way an adequate replacement for Alderweireld.
We’re not just talking about a decent player, the Belgian is one of the world’s best central defenders and would improve any squad in world football. His defensive qualities are outstanding, as is his ability to step out of defence and play penetrating passes into midfield.
There has long been speculation about his contract negotiations. As reported by The Guardian, talks between the two parties look to have reached a standstill over wage demands.
Regardless of how big a wage rise the 29-year-old wants, it surely isn’t as much as Pavard’s release clause, which according to BILD is £30.8million in 2019.
It would make no sense for Spurs to refuse the wage demands of one of their best players, only to spend a lot more money on replacing him, with a player who simply isn’t as good.
Pavard is a very good player who has shown real quality for both Stuttgart and the France national team but he still has a long way to go in order to be a better defender than Alderweireld.
Mauricio Pochettino should avoid signing Pavard, not because he’s not a good player, but because their priority must be to keep Toby Alderweireld this summer.
The Argentinian will be relieved to know that whatever happens, come August 9th, the Alderweireld saga will finally come to a conclusion one way or another.