Chelsea finds Varane as David Luis replacement

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane after agreeing the sale of David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain.

Luiz is set to join the French champions after the Blues announced they had agreed a fee with PSG for the Brazilian, thought to be in excess of £40m.

And boss Jose Mourinho is now said to be keen to link up again with Varane, having signed him for Real in 2011 and lauding him as the ‘best young central defender in the world’ earlier this year.

The 21-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular first team place under Carlo Ancelotti this season, having been hampered with a series of knee injuries.

And Mourinho may see this as his chance to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea will have to move quickly if they are to secure a deal before this summer’s World Cup, which starts in Brazil in less than three weeks, with Varane having been named in Didier Deschamps’ 23-man squad.

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Mourinho : Varane is the best defender in the world

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane is arguably the best defender in the world.

The Portuguese, who left the Santiago Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge last summer, made the French youngster a regular in his starting XI last term.

Varane earned widespread praise for his composed defensive performances and Mourinho has nothing but good memories of the centre-back.

Indeed, after being asked who were the young players to watch at the World Cup after being unveiled as Yahoo's global ambassador for football 2014, the Blues boss stated: "I would say [Eden] Hazard for sure, Neymar and Varane.

"I think Varane is the best central defender in the world. He is still young, but I think he's the best. Already, yes. I think he's the best defender."

Varane has made just six La Liga appearances so far this term as a knee injury kept him sidelined for the majority of the first half of the season but is expected to be named in France's squad for Brazil 2014.

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Hierro: Varane is the world's best defender

Raphael Varane is the best defender in the world, according to former Spain international Fernando Hierro.

The 45-year-old was himself a mainstay of the Galacticos defence for over a decade, and says the young Frenchman is now unrivalled in his position.

"There is no central defender in the world like Varane," Hierro told Radio Marca.

"For his age, his understanding of the game is amazing. He has the maturity of somebody who has been playing for 20 years."

Hierro also insisted that his former team-mate Iker Casillas will not be content with playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez in the Madrid goal.

"Anyone who thinks Iker will be happy on the bench is wrong," Hierro said. "He needs to be loved and the club should declare their faith in him publicly."

Hierro, who was capped 89 times by la Roja during his stellar playing career, spent 14 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Varane : Mourinho is a real winner

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has taken the time to praise Jose Mourinho and has hailed the current Chelsea boss' honesty and winning mentality.

The Frenchman emerged as one of La Liga's brightest defensive talents under Mourinho between 2011 and 2013 and he has nothing but fond memories of his time with the Portuguese coach.

"I'm only young and haven't had many coaches, which means it's difficult for me to make comparisons, but I'd say it's his personality and charisma, which were felt by the whole team," Varane told fifa.com when asked about Mourinho's best qualities.

"He's a winner, a competitor, and he transmits that to his players. Wherever he's gone he's always created combative teams with lots of character.

"He told me that I'd have my chance to play and that I was going to find out about myself and get to know myself better.

"Mourinho kept his word. In the two years I played for him he always kept his word, and he also knew when to throw me in at the right time."

Varane, 20, recently returned to match action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and has consequently made only two official appearances for Madrid this term under Carlo Ancelotti.

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Real Madrid Champions League squad

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: 
Casillas
Fernandez
Lopez

Defenders:
Varane,
Pepe,
Ramos,
Coentrao,
Marcelo,
Carvajal,
Arbeloa,
Nacho,
Casado

Midfielders:
Khedira,
Bale,
Alonso,
Casemiro,
Modric,
Di Maria,
Isco,
Illarramendi,
Garcia

Attackers:
Ronaldo,
Benzema,
Rodriguez,
Morata

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