2) Raphael Varane
It was Mourinho who made Raphael Varane the star that he is when he gave him his debut in the 2011/12 season when he was signed by him at Real Madrid. Mourinho trusted the man enough to play the then teenager to start against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey where he impressed tremendously stopping Messi and co.
He was then made first choice centre back for Madrid being paired with Sergio Ramos, usurping Pepe. Mourinho went as far to say: "Pepe's comments? It is very easy to analyse what he says. Pepe has a problem and his name is Raphael Varane," the Madrid coach stated at a press conference.
"A 31-year-old has lost his place to a 19-year-old. It’s the law of life. But who had the courage to field Varane? I did."
Soon after Mourinho’s departure from the club, Varane found himself down the pecking order under the next bosses Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane. He has also found himself often in the injury room, which has hindered his development.
Mourinho remains a huge fan of the young Frenchman and is understood to have identified him as a transfer target, who could be available for a price of £30m. Thus, it is believed that the former Real Madrid boss would like to make a push for the Frenchman this summer.
