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#4 Raphael Varane
If you look at the numbers, you will inevitably presume that Barcelona have been pretty good at the back. Overall, yes, they have had a good season as Valverde has added a mentality of defending stanchly more often than not. But there have been games that have made the fans think that their defence can improve.
Since Carles Puyol’s departure, only Gerard Pique has been a regular. For a time, Javier Mascherano settled well at the back but the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu failed to provide able support to the Catalan center-back.
Varane moved to Madrid under former manager Jose Mourinho and the Frenchman has grown with every passing season. A strong and agile defender who can read the game well, Varane is destined to become a Real Madrid great. Undoubtedly a player who could have done as well if not better than his compatriot Samuel Umtiti alongside Pique.
