Benjamin Pavard’s influence at the World Cup in Qatar was negligible at best, toxic at worst. He went into the tournament as France’s right-back, albeit begrudgingly. However, his tournament ended in France’s __ opening fixture against Australia; he was substituted in the 89th minute, replaced by Jules Koundé after a poor performance, and would not feature again.
When questioned about Pavard’s absence later in the group stage, Didier Deschamps said the defender “wasn’t in the right frame of mind” to play. “I won’t go into the details. I’ve had several conversations with him. He is not happy with this situation,” said the France manager.
Pavard’s winter World Cup of discontent was partly self-inflicted. His reluctance to play at right-back was not quite a strike, but Pavard made a habit of publicly insisting he wanted to play in central defence. “I’ve expected to play at centre-back for France for some time,” he said in the buildup to the tournament. “I played at right-back and that allowed me to participate in the World Cup in 2018, to play consistently and to progress, but I’m not a full-back by trade. My position is in the middle.”
The Inter defender is not the only player who has been played out of position by Deschamps. Eduardo Camavinga, the Real Madrid midfielder, has often been deployed at left-back . “ It still isn’t my position,” said Camavinga in April after once again featuring in France’s defence. He has since returned to his more familiar position.
Koundé and Axel Disasi, both of whom were in competition with Pavard for the right-back spot at the World Cup, are also both centre-backs by trade. Koundé relished the opportunity to play there and made the position his own in Qatar. “I’ve always tried to do my best on the right. I never play there reluctantly,” said Koundé.
Pavard was a passenger as France progressed through the tournament, slumping deeper into the leather seats of the France bench, his frustration growing. He made “inappropriate remarks” about his teammates, reported the journalist Romain Molina, creating a toxic atmosphere that culminated in a heated exchange with Deschamps on the eve of the final.
As a deflated France squad returned to Paris after their defeat to Argentina, Pavard’s international future was seemingly hanging by a thread. However, the pair made up. “I spoke to him before, during and after the World Cup. We won’t bring it up again. It belongs to the past. What matters is what is in front of us,” said Deschamps after naming Pavard in his squad for the first international break of 2023. However, the pair still had different views on the position he would play. “He knows, just as he knew before the World Cup, he is here as a right-back,” added Deschamps.
That stance was reiterated in a thinly veiled warning to Pavard and Koundé in September. “When I call them up for France, it is first and foremost as a right-back. If that changed, I would have to think, because there are lots of centre-backs,” said Deschamps. However, with Koundé, William Saliba, Disasi and Dayot Upamecano injured in this international break, there was less competition.
In his 52nd match for France, the opportunity finally presented itself. Deschamps finally blinked and Pavard was finally given his chance in the middle – and he took it. The former Bayern Munich defender excelled in his home town of Lille, even scoring a first-half brace as France came from behind to beat Scotland 4-1. The defender now has five goals for his country – one more than forward Ousmane Dembélé.
When Mbappé, who also scored, was substituted in the final few minutes, the captain’s armband was handed to Pavard for the first time in his France career – a symbol of his status in this squad and an almost unimaginable scenario just 10 months ago. He did not miss the chance to make a point after the game, saying: “In this position I feel really good and I think that was felt offensively and defensively. I thank the coach. He had confidence in me in this position. Before, I played at right-back, but everyone saw that central defence is my best position.”
Deschamps conceded some ground after the game, admitting: “He was efficient in a position that suits him better. He knows though that through the middle, there is a lot of competition. I have always been given headaches and I won’t complain about that.”
That competition will intensify as players return. Saliba, Disasi and Upamecano will all likely be back for the next international break, with long-term absentees such as Wesley Fofana also in contention next summer. The right-back spot remains the biggest question mark for France and a return to that dreaded position is certainly a possibility for Pavard. But, after years, he was given his chance and staked his claim. If nothing else, his presence in the squad has never looked so secure, having been so precarious.
Talking points
Kylian Mbappé scores France’s third goal against Scotland. Photograph: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappé extinguished any doubts about his lack of form and fitness during the international break. By his own high standards, the France captain is in a goal drought at club level. He hasn’t scored in his last four games for PSG, his longest run without a goal for the club __ since 2018. He had a disrupted pre-season, being omitted from the club’s tour of Japan and South Korea, and doubts about his fitness have crept in over the past fortnight. Against the Netherlands, Mbappé’s response was as emphatic as it was timely, his brace securing France’s qualification for Euro 2024.
Thierry Henry’s winning streak since taking charge of the France U21s continues. A late victory secured by an injury-time goal by Arnaud Kalimuendo against Bosnia and Herzegovina was backed up with a 9-0 thumping of Cyprus. Henry’s team __ has scored 19 goals in just four games, but he struck a surprisingly negative tone after his side’s comprehensive win over Cyprus. “It’s the team that caused us the most harm with the ball at their feet in the first 25 minutes. I didn’t like that; I didn’t like that at all. I liked the result at half-time, but not the way we earned it. Understand the message,” said Henry, seemingly addressing his players directly. High standards are being set for this promising new generation.
