Raphael Varane joins the list of Real Madrid players to sign contract extensions. His new contract extends his obligations at Madrid until 2022.
Varane joins Marcos Llorente, Marcelo, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, and Isco in getting new contracts. Real Madrid may not have had the most exciting transfer rumor in terms of new signings. There was no flashy, superstar, galactico-esque signing. But it’s an accomplishment in and of itself for Madrid to lock down all of these contracts and preventing anyone from scooping up these important players.
Raphael Varane has started the season strong. With Pepe now finally gone from the lineup, Varane may begin to permanently assume the mantle of the starting center-back spot alongside Sergio Ramos. This is a position he’s been waiting for for years.
Varane has not quite yet hit the heights that were promised when Jose Mourinho called him the best center-back in the world. He has struggled with injury issues, and when fit, often made mistakes that betrayed a lack of experience. Nobody ever doubted Varane’s pace, a characteristic which made him one of the most difficult defenders to get around. But Varane was prone to letting his head get away from him, and making clumsy mistakes that would necessitate his pace as a last resort.
OFFICIAL: Raphaël Varane has signed a new five-year contract at Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until June 2022. pic.twitter.com/VVm0XQWR7A
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 27, 2017
That’s not to discredit the amazing things that Varane has done. The French defender has put in some stellar performances at the highest level of the game, including against Barcelona.
When he’s on his game, he’s one of the best in the world. But he has not gotten the chance take the role as one of Madrid’s two starting center-backs week in and week out, whether due to injury or due to Pepe’s form, so the consistency has been a bit lacking.
It’s a huge victory for Real Madrid to lock down his contract. This season could be the season Varane finally cements his place as one of the world’s absolute best in his position.
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