From Marca By J. I. GARCÍA-OCHOA
Raphael Varane’s fine displays in the Real Madrid defence have reopened an old debate that seemed totally decided – who to play in the centre-back positions. The partnership formed by Sergio Ramos and Pepe, along with those of Mesut Özil-Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso-Sami Khedira, was considered the most solid in José Mourinho’s side. However, Portuguese centre-back Pepe’s operation over the Christmas period allowed Mourinho to see what Varane is capable of.
The Frenchman has become a fans’ favourite since he was drafted into the team. The club saw tremendous potential in the defender when he joined the club, but Mourinho opted to leave the player out taking into account his age – just turned 19. Injury to Pepe and Ramos’s five – game suspension presented Varane with a golden opportunity to start for ‘Los Blancos’ and show them just what he was made of. In Madrid’s clash against Barcelona, the Frenchman put on a fine display as he led his side’s back-four, which persuaded coach Mourinho to put his faith in the centre-back against United – at the expense of Pepe.
Varane did not disappoint against ‘The Red Devils’ and came out on top against Danny Welbeck and Robin Van Persie.
Mourinho now sees Varane as the most in-form centre-back and will have to make a vital decision on who to select for his side’s games on 26th February and 5th March, against Barcelona and Manchester United, respectively. The Portuguese manager is weighing up switching Ramos to right-back, as he is loath to drop any one of his three centre-backs.
