Chelsea Transfer News: Raphael Varane Unhappy at Real Madrid, Latest Rumours

Chelsea are monitoring Raphael Varane's situation at Real Madrid with reports the defender is "concerned about his future" at the Bernabeu and "keen" on a move to west London.   

Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) say the player has become unsettled after Madrid tied Sergio Ramos and Pepe—the traditional Los Blancos centre-back pairing—to new contracts. 

However, the talented Frenchman started the Galacticos' first match of the new La Liga season, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Sporting Gijon. 

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The future of John Terry is uncertain after the Chelsea captain was replaced at half-time against Manchester City in the Premier League, and the doubts were compounded against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday as the former England skipper was sent off for preventing a goalscoring opportunity—as he was beaten for pace. 

Varane is viewed as one of the greatest new defensive talents in world football and seems assured to be a star of the future. The 22-year-old made 21 starts for Los Blancos in La Liga last term, per WhoScored.com, and he will now command a more regular starting place.

However, if new Madrid coach Rafael Benitez opts for Pepe ahead of Varane, Chelsea would certainly be able to offer him more starts—and Terry's time at Stamford Bridge could come to a premature end. 

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Manager Jose Mourinho was clearly unhappy as Terry received his marching orders at West Brom—just nine minutes into the second half. 

The Chelsea coach chose not to defend his captain after the game, preferring not to reference the sending off directly, per Laurie Whitwell of the Daily Mail:

"

I don't want to make (anything of the red card.) To speak about that I have to speak about many other things in the game, some things you can see, others we can see. And so many things. One striker push one defender, it's a foul, it's not a foul. Stop the game in midfield it's a yellow card, it's not a yellow card.

So I prefer to concentrate on us. With one player less, we are getting experience of that, we adapted well. We controlled the game, had the best chances to score the fourth goal, and I'm happy with the spirit.

"

Despite his fall in popularity, Squawka.com suggest there is not much wrong with Terry's general contribution, currently posting very credible passing stats:

Varane is known for his passing and possession, and he would bring this element with him to Chelsea. But this is not an issue for Terry despite his ageing legs.

Chelsea remain perpetually linked with the name of John Stones, per John Richardson of the Daily Express, but it is Varane many fans would like to see. Football writer and Blues supporter Rob Beasley counts himself as one:

"

I wouldn't even pay £25m for Stones. I'd pay it for Varane.

— ROB (@1RobBeasley) August 18, 2015"

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The bad news for Mourinho is that Benitez is the new boss at Madrid—a coach who is very focused on his defence and is likely to lean toward keeping Varane.

Pepe has only signed a short extension to his current deal—and was used from the bench on Sunday—giving Varane the chance to partner Ramos.

Chelsea's defence does look compromised as they leak goals against inferior opposition, but it is difficult to pinpoint whether or not Terry is the problem. 

However, the centre-back has certainly lost the pace he once had, and once that evaporates, Premier League attackers will happily pick you off on a regular basis.