Young Guns: Raphael Varane

By David Lee Wheatley

 

Just turned 20, young Martinque native Raphael Varane cemented his position this season as one of the best centre-backs in Europe with several dynamic performances in the heart of the Real Madrid defence.

Having spent his formative years as part of the Lens academy, Varane broke through into the first-team when only 18 years of age under head coach Jean-Guy Wallemme, holding his spot in the side after Laszlo Boloni took over the running of the team. His promise was soon noticed by several big clubs scattered across the continent and it was Spanish giants Real Madrid that snapped him up in the summer of 2011 on a six-year contract.

It was expected that the French youth international would take time to adapt to his new surroundings before making any concerted effort to break into the first-team amongst the stellar names of the Real Madrid dressing-room. Against all odds, he made his first start under Jose Mourinho in September of that year against Racing Santander, where he featured alongside experienced partner Ricardo Carvalho in a 0-0 draw. In the very next match, Varane struck his first goal for Los Blancos with a clever back-heel during a resounding 6-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano. To many onlookers, a star was born.

Despite not starting any of Real’s first four league fixtures in 2012-13, it was this past season when the stylish defender really put down a marker on his way to making 33 club appearances in all competitions. He was in-and-out of the side in the first half of the campaign, but made one of the centre-half slots his own from the turn of the year, including a man-of-the-match performance in El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona.

It was a fantastic second leg of the season for the young Varane, with a full international debut for France coming his way in March and accolades flying in from all corners for his technical ability, positional sense, reading of the game and physical attributes. His form was such that it unseated Brazilian-born Portuguese international Pepe from his regular place in the starting line-up.

To add to the growing fervour surrounding the player, Spanish paper Marca named him in the best XI of foreign players to have ever worn the famous white of Real Madrid.

In his short career thus far, Varane has already shown his capabilities to a global audience and with his pace, height and ability in possession of the ball, he is already being touted as the heir to the throne vacated sometime ago by the great Fernando Hierro. If the 20-year-old gets near to the accomplishments of that Real Madrid idol, then his career will surely be a glittering one.

 

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