Manchester City
Why this 22-year-old French World Cup star should snub Pep’s Man City and move elsewhere
Why Benjamin Pavard must avoid joining Manchester City
The fact that French sensation Benjamin Pavard is attracting interest in the transfer market is quite unsurprising. Pavard has been one of the stars of the World Cup with the French national team that has qualified for the semi-finals after overcoming Uruguay.
Pavard, 22, scored an excellent 22-yard half-volley against Argentina that earned Les Blues a 4-3 victory in the quarter-finals earlier. The defender’s excellent technique and composure have not gone unnoticed with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola reportedly interested in luring him to the Premier League.
Pavard has gained a huge reputation in recent months after helping Stuttgart earn promotion to the German top-flight last term. The 22-year-old has been one of the eye-catching young talents in the Bundesliga as Stuttgart, under Tayfun Korkut, narrowly missed out on a place in the Europa League this past season.
Before Korkut arrived, Pavard was deployed all across the defence line, as well as in the midfield and right-wing. Under the German-born Turkish manager, the 22-year-old became the club’s lynchpin in central defence, playing every single minute of the last season.
Benjamin Pavard
The Frenchman is a cool, composed ball-playing defender who can be relied upon, even against more experienced and lethal attackers. Pavard’s composure on the ball is supreme and whilst centre-back may be his best position; the 22-year-old’s versatility adds value to his name.
Now, Pep Guardiola is yet to open his team’s account in the transfer market but he seems to be heavily impressed with the 22-year-old’s performances in Russia. However, should Manchester City come up with an offer for Pavard, the player must simply avoid joining the Premier League champions.
Guardiola spent heavily in fixing City’s defence last term, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo coming in. The Spanish gaffer went a step further in January as he snapped up Aymeric Laporte’s services.
Given City’s varied options in the defence as well as in the midfield, Pavard must avoid moving to the Etihad. City already have Walker at right-back, who is only going from strength-to-strength, while Mendy will have a big part to play next season.
The Cityzens have Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Laporte in central defence, so there is no way Pavard will have regular playing opportunities in the Premier League.
Read more: Dream Pep Guardiola Line-up To Play Next Season Featuring £108.5m Duo Close To A Man City Move
Hence, considering everything, a move to Manchester City won’t be ideal for Pavard. If Pavard keeps playing like he has for France, he could easily become one of the best defenders in Europe.
Sam Coffey has officially joined Manchester City from Portland Thorns on a contract running through summer 2029. The WSL leaders will reportedly pay the Thorns a transfer fee of $875,000 with potential add-ons according to ESPN, securing one of the NWSL’s top midfielders.
Coffey said in an emotional goodbye video posted by the Thorns that playing in Europe has long been one of her goals. “For as long as I’ve kicked a ball, I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, and it’s something I simply have to pursue. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go try,” she said in a video filmed at Providence Park.
Thorns Lose Talisman and 2024 Captain
The move leaves Portland without their talisman and 2024 captain. During a turbulent season in terms of injuries and maternity leaves, Coffey started all but one match and was a stabilizing force in midfield. She was named to the league’s Best XI for the third time in four years.
Manchester City are chasing their first title in a decade and lead England’s Women’s Super League by six points over Chelsea after defeating Everton on the weekend to open the second half of the season. Coffey has never been on a side that finished top of table but was a rookie when the Thorns won the 2022 NWSL Championship.
Investment in Women’s Game Attracts Star
Coffey also gave a nod to Manchester City as a club that has recently increased investment in the women’s team. “I think it’s also a place that just has proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on. Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets and all the efforts they are putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honored to be a part of.”
Also read: Renee Slegers Signs New Arsenal Contract Until 2029 After Champions League Glory
Everton Women host Manchester City on Sunday as the WSL leaders return from the winter break with a six point advantage at the top of the table. Brian Sorensen’s side will be without several key players including Rion Ishikawa due to sickness and Hikaru Kitagawa who is being assessed after feeling her hamstring during training.
Elise Stenevik, Megan Finnigan and Lucy Hope remain unavailable while Katie Robinson has returned to Aston Villa after her loan spell ended, having made 12 appearances for the Toffees. Everton sit 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Joie Stadium, Manchester
TV: TBC
Sorensen Demands Defensive Discipline
The Everton boss knows his side face an uphill task against the league’s highest scorers. “They have a very good team and we have to put a performance in. We have the confidence to know that we can do it if we get it right. But, it is going to be extremely hard. We have to be right in the defensive department. We know how good they are. We need to focus on ourselves and make sure we get our things right.”
Manchester City have been relentless since their opening day defeat to Chelsea in September, establishing a commanding lead at the top. Khadija Shaw tops the scoring charts with support from Vivianne Miedema and Aoba Fujino providing goals throughout the season.
Recent Meetings Favor City
The clubs have already met twice this season with Andrée Jeglertz’s team winning both encounters. City won 3-1 in the League Cup at Joie Stadium in September before edging a competitive 2-1 victory at Goodison Park in November, despite Kelly Gago’s equalizer.
Predicted Lineups:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Ramsey; Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler, Payne, Boje Sørensen; Clare, Hayashi; Thomas, Gago, Bissell; Snoeijs
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown; Fujino, Miedema, Hemp; Shaw
Also read: Julie Blakstad Officially Joins Tottenham From Hammarby as Spurs Strengthen Backline
Vivianne Miedema has revealed she wants to extend her stay at Manchester City beyond this summer with contract talks currently underway. The Netherlands international joined the WSL leaders on a free transfer from Arsenal in summer 2024 and has been instrumental in their charge towards the title.
“Officially, I have a contract until the summer. We’re working hard to extend that. I’m sure it’ll work out. I’m happy at the club and I feel good about the direction the club is going,” Miedema told FCLeeuwinnen and AD.nl.
Thriving Under Andrée Jeglertz
The 29 year old striker has rediscovered her best form at City after injury troubles plagued her final years at Arsenal. She’s formed a lethal partnership with Bunny Shaw in attack, helping Andrée Jeglertz’s side build a six point lead at the top of the WSL table heading into the winter break.
Miedema scored her 100th WSL goal during City’s 6-1 demolition of Aston Villa in December, becoming only the second player to reach that milestone. Her performances have been crucial to City’s 13 match unbeaten run across all competitions since their opening day defeat to Chelsea.
City Keen to Secure Key Asset
Manchester City will be eager to tie down Miedema to a new deal given her importance to their title push. The striker’s contract situation means she could sign a pre contract with clubs outside England from this month if terms aren’t agreed.
City face a challenging run of fixtures when they return from the winter break, starting with West Ham in the League Cup quarter final before resuming their WSL campaign. Securing Miedema’s future would provide a significant boost as they look to end their four year trophy drought and claim their first WSL title since 2021.
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