Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane has been a regular in the squad since 2015 and his role has continued to grow as he has matured. Although he has been chosen by manager Julen Lopetegui in seven out of the eight La Liga games thus far this year, his name continues to be linked to a move away from Spain.
“I am very happy at Real Madrid. I am focused 100 percent on the present,” the French defender told Canal + when asked about rumors linking him to a move to Manchester United.
Varane has been with the Spanish giants since the summer of 2011 and has won a stunning 16 trophies with club and country before turning 26. So, to see Rafa’s name pop up on the rumor mill out of the blue comes as a bit of a shock to me and Madrid fans alike.
Varane has never had an issue with his role at the club and has continued to make the team better working alongside Sergio Ramos in front of the goalkeeper.
While on the topic of the rumors, Varane discussed how closely knit this team was last year during their Champions League run and reaffirmed his happiness with his current surroundings.
“There are people obsessed with it [individual awards] but it’s a team sport. We showed that at Real last season, we were united and won the Champions League that way,” he said.
Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is going through a tough time right now at Manchester United and rumors were running mad over the weekend that he would be fired regardless of his team’s performance.
As we now know, Mourinho will remain in charge and is likely trying to stir up some support from The Red Devil faithful.
Jose was in charge of Los Blancos when Varane arrived in 2011 and said the French international would become one of the best center backs in the world. At 25-years-old, Rafa sure is making Mourinho look like a genius with his rapid development and impressive trophy haul over the last seven years.
My takeaway from these rumors is why does it always have to be a Real Madrid player rumored to be on the way to Manchester United? First, it was Cristiano Ronaldo, then it was Gareth Bale, and now it’s Raphael Varane.
Varane gets the playing time he wants under Lopetegui and has for all the previous managers who have come through the Spanish capital.
Varane will stay I have no doubt at all.