Raphael Varane is a defender who has won almost everything a player can win. He is a multiple Champions league winner, a World Cup winner and a La Liga winner with a trophy collection that would put many players to shame.
The French defender is on the verge of swapping Real Madrid for Manchester United, however there have been mixed feelings about the arrival of the 28-year-old.
Varane is a multiple trophy winner and has been at Madrid since 2011. He has won 18 major honours, including three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey title, four UEFA Champions League titles and four FIFA Club World Cup titles.
This impressive trophy collection lends credence to the opinion that he can help end United’s four-year trophy drought.
The Frenchman has played with Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Nacho. It’s almost impossible to play with defenders of such calibre and not possess a sizeable wealth of experience.
Varane has played football with defenders who know how to win trophies, in a club like Madrid known for their admirable match winning and trophy winning mentalities.
The Frenchman would certainly be one of the most experienced players in the United locker room and his experience can rub off on some of his new teammates.
However, some critics have argued that Varane would not make an excellent signing for the Red Devils. Why? They feel that Varane is only at his best when he plays alongside Sergio Ramos.
That may be a harsh judgement, but there seems to be an iota of truth in that statement. For example, in the Champions League, Madrid developed a habit of conceding more than usual when Ramos got injured or suspended and Varane had to be paired with someone else.
Also Read:
- Fernando Torres Returns To Atleti As Coach
- Ashley Cole Appointed England’s U-21 Assistant Coach
- Toby Alderweireld Leaves Tottenham For Qatari Club
- Lewandowski Wins German Footballer Of The Year Award
- Solskjaer Praises Jadon Sancho Ahead Of New Season
Some examples;
Champions league Quarterfinals 2018, Madrid Vs Juventus.
Madrid defeated Juventus in Turin 3-0 in a game that saw Cristiano Ronaldo score an overhead kick and Ramos and Varane being paired together. In the second leg however, Ramos was suspended and Madrid conceded three goals and needed a stoppage time penalty from Ronaldo to go through to the semifinals.
Champions League Round of 16, Madrid vs Ajax. 2019.
Madrid won the first leg 2-1 with Ramos and Nacho starting the game. In the second leg however, Varane and Nacho started the game as Sergio Ramos was suspended. Madrid were thumped 4-1 at home by Ajax and they exited the Champions League at the round of 16 stage.
Perhaps fresh in the minds of fans is Madrid’s second leg Champions League encounter against Manchester City last season.
Once again, Sergio Ramos was suspended and Madrid needed to overturn a 2-1 deficit. Madrid played well, but were undone by two individual errors by Varane to lose 2-1 to Manchester City.
Varane has won several trophies and individual awards. However, he will not be playing with Ramos or any other Real Madrid defender for the first time in about 10 years.
He would have to be at his very best in order to replicate the synergistic relationship that he had with Sergio Ramos, with his most likely center back partner, Harry Maguire.
These are only a few instances and critics are allowed to point them out but some of them tend to forget that Varane is also a World Cup winner.
He did not get crowned champion of the world with Sergio Ramos bedside him. He was solid in defence when France won the World Cup in 2018. If Varane can achieve football’s most coveted prize without Ramos, then maybe he will be just fine at Manchester United as well.
Do you think Varane would be an ideal signing for United or would he fail to meet expectations? Let us know in the comments section.
Enjoyed the article? Share with others as well. Stay in the know, follow us on Twitter @punditgist.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.