A Progress Report on Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is obviously aware he needs to use Raphael Varane or risk losing him. The problem is the Italian's preferred pairing for the games that matter remains Pepe and Sergio Ramos.

At 28, Spain international Ramos is the obvious first pick, creating a battle between the youth of Varane and the experience of Pepe to partner him.

Nearly two years ago, when Jose Mourinho departed his job at the Bernabeu, it looked like Varane was ready to end Pepe's residency in the first team.

"His problem has a name, and that name is Raphael Varane," Mourinho famously said of the Portuguese central defender, per Marca.

However, as has often been the case throughout Mourinho's career, the comment was political. Pepe had recently spoken out about his manager's treatment of goalkeeper Iker Casillas—Mourinho was seeking revenge.

It's unlikely to have affected Varane's mindset, although it may have driven Pepe on.

The 31-year-old has arguably been the team's most impressive defender since Ancelotti took the job in the summer of 2013, outperforming Ramos for large chunks of the last 18 months.

On top of that, and even more surprisingly, he's still not been booked this season in 1,170 minutes of La Liga action.

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Maybe what Mourinho said was completely wrong. Maybe it's Varane with the problem, and that problem is Pepe.

The French international defender is 21 now and approaching an age where he needs to be playing regular football. He's already a first choice for his country and may feel he deserves a more important role at Madrid.

As third choice, though, Ancelotti makes sure to utilise Varane when he can—not just when he has to.

So far this season, he has played in eight league games, although he has only started four of them. He has been used more commonly in the Champions League, where he has started five of Madrid's six matches.

It's not been enough to keep the transfer stories away from his front door.

A quick Google news search for "Varane" throws up hundreds of websites claiming that the defender is keen on a move to England, tired of playing the third wheel in the Ramos-Pepe relationship.

The latest story comes from Jack Wilson in the Daily Star, who cites sources in Spain as he suggests the player is “desperate” for a move to England. Manchester United and a reunion with Jose at Chelsea are named as two very realistic destinations.

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Until now, though, Varane has neither done nor said anything to suggest he wants to leave the Spanish capital.

Injuries have also played their part in him failing to really kick on since those Mourinho comments.

Transfermarkt say he's missed over 200 days of football since Ancelotti took charge due to various knocks.

For that reason, he played five less games in the league and in Europe in Ancelotti's first season than in Mourinho's final one.

While Varane is getting regular chances at the club, he's often missing the bigger occasions, and he's not been able to kick on how he should have.

He possesses gazelle-like pace, is a threat in the air at both ends and can read the game.

Looking for a negative, he would benefit from adding some muscle for those battles with Didier Drogba-type strikers.

Progress has been slow over the last two years due to injuries and playing time—although learning from and playing alongside Pepe and Ramos should also be viewed as hugely positive.

As he gets older, so too does Pepe, and there will come a time when Ancelotti decides it's time to make the switch on a permanent basis.

As the world's best youngsters head to the Bernabeu—Marco Asensio has already been signed and Sky Sports are reporting Martin Odegaard is set to follow—Varane would be unwise to turn his back on the club that invested in him over three years ago.