#4 Centre-Back – Raphael Varane
Come the summer, Real Madrid have a serious problem at centre-back. Their ageing defensive stalwart, Pepe will be leaving the club at the end of his contract, which leaves Madrid with 3 centre-backs in the squad. Nacho and Raphael Varane have rotated alongside Sergio Ramos, although the duo have failed to convince alongside the Madrid captain.
Also read: 5 centre-backs who could join Real Madrid this summer
This was the season where Varane was supposed to break-out and cement his place – instead it’s perhaps his most disappointing season with the club. Error-strewn performances like those against Kashima Antlers and Valencia are not what the club have in mind, and there are rumours of Zidane being willing to let him leave for Manchester United, for the right price.
Madrid look increasingly like they will be able to tempt Leonardo Bonucci to move away from Juventus, and if Florentino Perez is able to seal that deal, the 24-year-old Varane could spend a season away from the spotlight, and fulfil his potential. Nacho remains fairly acceptable as a versatile fourth-choice, although Nicolas Otamendi might also be an experienced option if Madrid want to tighten up at the back.
Los Blancos have the fifth-best defence in La Liga, and if they want to win more titles, that record simply must improve.
