Raphaël Varane

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Chaky_Best said:
Guys, be careful with him. I mean he’s only 21 years, he doesn’t play every game, and he’s playing for a side that doesn’t defend so much. I would love to see him at United but I’m perplex on whether he can handle a game the 1st of January at Stoke City against Crouch, with Walters kicking him, or a Monday night game at St James Park when it’s freezing. He played one big game for France this summer and failed against Germany. So at Madrid he has Ramos and Casillas helping him, at United he woul be next to Rojo ? He can be a great leader but he’s still very young
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Of course he's very young and still needs more experience but you're way too harsh in your assessment. I can understand not wanting to get to giddy over the guy (just like with Pogba as they're very young) but you look at the positives and negatives, it's obvious what outweigh what.
 
I just try to be honest with a young player. In the positive, he plays for Real Madrid, he won la Liga at 19, the CL at 21, and went to WC quarter at 21 been captain later the same year. BUT, I mean that this player is well surrounded at Madrid, with great protection from his midfielders (especially Xabi Alonso last year), from Pepe or Ramos (2 of the 5/6 best players).

With Madrid he’s use to not defend much during the games, he’s very clever, fast etc, but remember two years ago when he played against us at Bernabeu, Van Persie and Welbeck destroyed him because Robin’s movement were marvelous that day, Welbeck was faster and stronger than him, it’s not often that striker has Welbz’s pace, and it was the same against Germany when he was absolutely killed by Hummels on his goal. Hummels physically destroyed Varane, showing that in this aspect he has still a lot to improve. He’s not aggressive enough right now, to be sure that he can handle a season long in Premier League.

Another thing, I just try to go against the opinion because here in France we saw so many players with huge potential failing because we, people, thought that they were marvelous. Ben Arfa, Gourcuff, Mexès, Sakho, Christanval… and I can continue. You think that Zouma at Chelsea is a good player? Guys he’s just a beast who can’t pass, he’s a man marker that’s all, a French version of Shawcross, it’s not for nothing that Mourinho had Robert Huth in his squad…

So I repeat that I like the boy, he seems very clever, he’s phenomenal in his environment, at Madrid, not playing every game, and not being a leader, but I’ve still some doubt, not for his level, but for him leading our backline, in another language, in another country etc
 
I completely agree that people have gone over the top about him. Yes, he has great potential but it's still only potential at the moment. He's obviously better than what we have but it irks me that people consider him one of the best in the world already.
I won't be convinced until I see him playing every week to see how often he makes mistakes but he seems to make a big mistake in most of the big games he's played in but his pace bails him out.
I can't make up my mind about him. I don't think he's a great defender but when you're that quick, does it really matter?
 
Dr Baltar said:
I completely agree that people have gone over the top about him. Yes, he has great potential but it's still only potential at the moment. He's obviously better than what we have but it irks me that people consider him one of the best in the world already.
I won't be convinced until I see him playing every week to see how often he makes mistakes but he seems to make a big mistake in most of the big games he's played in but his pace bails him out.
I can't make up my mind about him. I don't think he's a great defender but when you're that quick, does it really matter?
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He's better than anything we have and arguably Madrid's best centre-back too. That's not 'just potential'.
 
ADJUDICATOR said:
He's better than anything we have and arguably Madrid's best centre-back too. That's not 'just potential'.
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I said in my post that he's better than our defenders (you could probably say that about 80 defenders in the world so it loses it's value) but I think you'd find it hard hard to argue that he's Madrid's best defender. Ramos is clearly more of a finished article & Pepe plays in most of the big games when he's fit.
I don't want to get dragged into taking an extreme side of the debate, he's obviously already a good player, I just think people should rein in the hype. My point is that he's already being talked of as one of the best defenders in the world when it should be that he has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the world.
 
Today was an important reminder that he is still inexperienced, and even more so, a reminder that we need an established, experienced leader in our back line, not somebody with the potential to be the best. Obviously one of each would be ideal but if it came down to one, I know which I'd go for. And I'm a big fan of Varane.
 
Sammyjunn said:
Imagine if Smalling put in such a performance, Getsme would have a field day. He's been so poor lately, totally suspect defensively, what has happened? Even Evans hasnt played so poor this season.
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I agree, while he's very talented im not convinced he would improve us much. Although he stays fit and none of our defenders can manage that.

We need a leader first.
 
Every time I see him play he makes mistakes. I think that we need to realise that modern game is not centre back friendly. We seem to expect them to play perfect games too.
 
Has Phil Jones mind in Chris Smalling's body. That being said if he can sort out his concentration and positioning he will be an absolute beast.

For the money required though I would rather stick with the Smalling and Rojo partnership for now, it has legs IMO.
 
Imagine the defense being Shaw-McNair-Smalling/Jones-Rafael and in front of them would be Carrick-Rooney-Di Maria-Mata-Valencia-RvP. Not a great looking side at at the back. That's similar set up, if you could make one with United players, like Real fielded in the 2nd half. Atlético's counter-attacking in the 2nd half was in Covergirl mode, easy breezy.

I can imagine Atlético was giving an extra boost seeing that back four. As soon as they scored it was pretty much game over.

This performance was an eye-opener for some people who are overly judgemental towards Smalling and Jones.
 
Snow said:
This performance was an eye-opener for some people who are overly judgemental towards Smalling and Jones.
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I think most people's major problem with Smalling/Jones is their injury records.
 
2cents said:
I think most people's major problem with Smalling/Jones is their injury records.
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That's frustrating indeed but so is their at-times crazy mentality (more Jones than Smalling). Varane has also been frequently injured.

I'm torn really. Smalling isn't great on the ball, he's a limited defender. But when it comes to defending he's good. Jones is also good, better on the ball. But he's also a bit nuts. That's however a quality you'd want at the back. He could be "our Puoyl".

That being said, regarding transfers, I'm in favor of bringing in an older experienced defender that will play 30+ league games. Don't care if it's only for 3 years. We don't really need potential at this time.
 
Yeah, Varane certainly doesn't seem the answer to our problems. I'd almost be in favor of a cull this summer and saying goodbye to two or three of our centre-backs, but no point replacing them with this guy.
 
I'm of the opinion that we should go for a more established name with veteran experience like Godin than someone young with potential like Varane or Laporte. We already have young CBs with potential, we need an experienced quality CB at the back who has leadership qualities.
 
I think people want us to sign the Varane of last season and not this season's Varane who has lost form, a more experienced defender would be ideal
 
Varane is the worlds best young defender. He was rubbish against Atletico because he spends most weekends sat on the bench at Real. It's impossible to perform without a run of games behind you. If Varane was here then nothing would get past him after a run of 5 games in the team
 
Since Laporte cemented his place in the first team, I've preferred him over Varane. Much less error prone and has just as much potential as the aforementioned. I hope we go for him.
 
Ringo 07 said:
Varane is the worlds best young defender. He was rubbish against Atletico because he spends most weekends sat on the bench at Real. It's impossible to perform without a run of games behind you. If Varane was here then nothing would get past him after a run of 5 games in the team
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He has made the same number of appearances this season as he did last season and its still only february, not sure its a run of games thats the problem
 
It's also a reminder for ppl who underrate Pepe/Ramos, Varane needs one of them to partner him.
Varane is still class and very young. Defenders (and goal keepers) don't have it easy at all, they make a mistake and ppl will talk about it for ages. But when strikers/attackers misplace easy passes or miss easy chances ppl will hardly mention it a day later.
 
dxadel said:
He has made the same number of appearances this season as he did last season and its still only february, not sure its a run of games thats the problem
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I don't know what you insinuate but, the problem is obviously playtime, he is young , he doesn't play every weekend, therefore he will need time before being able to perform consistently and not make some mistakes.

People really struggle to assimilate this simple fact, before 25 a defender is a novice, it's the same for all of them little matter their visible potential.
 
He had some pretty serious injury problems, I'm sure they didn't help with his development. Still think people are going overboard though, he was poor yesterday bit he's still an excellent player.
 
Sammyjunn said:
Imagine if Smalling put in such a performance, Getsme would have a field day. He's been so poor lately, totally suspect defensively, what has happened? Even Evans hasnt played so poor this season.
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The guy only has it in for Smalling because he's outshining his golden boy Evans. Varane needs a change of scenery.
 
Hes been poor a few times I've seen him lately...
 
I think the being linked with United curse has expanded from causing injury to causing poor form too...
 
Few papers saying Chelsea will make him their top priority in the summer.
 
He should be a top priority for Chelsea, both Cahill and Terry are mediocre at best and their obvious limitations hold back the rest of the team.
 
Damien said:
Varane's contract expires in 2020. I can't see Real selling him.
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No, I don't think they will sell him. I definitely think there's a good chance that Chelsea try to land him though and if he does level Madrid then it will definitely be to Chelsea. Telegraph is going with the story so there must be some truth to it.
 
Why would Real Madrid sell him, what possible reason would they have to do such a thing? Selling a (potentially) World Class CB who has another 10+ years of top football ahead of him? Madness.

If Chelsea get him then they are set for the next generation with Varane and Smiley.
 
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