OM – Pavard sets the tone before his Marseille debut

Pavard seduced by the Marseille project

Loaned with an option to buy from Inter Milan in the final hours of the transfer window, Pavard didn’t hesitate for long: “When I knew OM were interested, it was clear. Playing at the Vélodrome, living the Champions League with Marseille — it’s irresistible.”

After ten days with Les Bleus, the former Bayern and Inter man finally arrived at La Commanderie, where he quickly met his new teammates and soaked up the Olympian atmosphere. “The fans are always here, I needed to feel those emotions again and to be close to my family. Everything is in place for me to be happy,” said the World Cup winner, who admitted that his decision was encouraged by conversations with his friend Adrien Rabiot.

What role in De Zerbi’s defense?

A right-back earlier in his career, Pavard has more recently shifted into a central defensive role — a choice that has already created friction with Didier Deschamps for France. In Marseille, the debate is wide open. Competition is fierce in central defense with Aguerd, Medina, Balerdi, and Egan-Riley, while reliable solutions are more limited out wide.

Pavard, however, says he’s ready for anything: “I don’t decide my position, I’m very versatile. Back three or four, right-back… I’m at the coach’s disposal.” That flexibility is a valuable asset for Roberto De Zerbi, who emphasizes build-up play and defensive discipline as the foundation of his system.

A World Champion with a Marseille state of mind

Despite his trophy cabinet (Bundesliga, Champions League, World Cup), Pavard doesn’t want to act like a superstar. He wants to be a leader in the dressing room, share his experience with younger players, and embody high standards every day. “I’ve won a lot elsewhere, but here I want to rediscover powerful emotions and help OM stay at the top,” he explained.

He has already spoken in Italian with De Zerbi to understand his possession philosophy and his role in the team’s build-up. The adaptation process promises to be quick.

Objective: making an impact against Lorient

Before facing Real Madrid and PSG in a brutal September schedule, Pavard is eager to kick off his OM adventure against Lorient on Friday night at the Vélodrome. “The important thing is to win tomorrow. The big games will come after.”

For the fans, his arrival is the symbol of an ambitious transfer window and the club’s determination to return to the very highest level. With Pavard, OM gain not only a proven champion used to the biggest stages, but also a player who chose Marseille out of passion and the hunger to feel alive again.