Chelsea Eye Raphael Varane as John Terry Successor
As Chelsea prepare for a new era without their long-serving captain John Terry, manager José Mourinho has reportedly set his sights on a familiar face to bolster the club’s defensive line—Real Madrid centre-back Raphaël Varane.
According to a report published by the Daily Express, which references sources in Spain, Mourinho is keen to reunite with the 21-year-old French international whom he helped develop during his own tenure at Real Madrid. While Varane has long been viewed as one of Europe’s brightest defensive talents, he has often found himself in the shadow of established names like Sergio Ramos and Pepe in the Spanish capital. Mourinho, however, has never hidden his admiration for the young defender.
It was under the Portuguese coach that Varane truly began to make waves in European football. Mourinho entrusted him with high-stakes appearances during his Real Madrid stint, notably favouring him in several El Clásico matches over more seasoned veterans. That confidence in Varane’s maturity, composure, and tactical awareness hasn’t faded.
Now at Chelsea, Mourinho appears ready to offer Varane a central role in the post-Terry era. The Blues are facing a transitional period with their iconic captain’s influence beginning to wane. Terry, now 33, remains a key figure in the dressing room but is no longer the untouchable starter of previous seasons. Mourinho’s intent to plan for the long term seems clear.
Varane is currently under contract with Real Madrid until June 2017, and any approach by Chelsea would likely involve a significant transfer fee. However, the defender’s relationship with Mourinho could tip the scales in the London club’s favour—especially if the Frenchman is open to leaving the Bernabéu in search of more consistent playing time.
The report suggests that Chelsea are not alone in their interest. Other top European clubs have also been monitoring Varane’s situation, but Mourinho’s personal connection to the player may give the Blues a distinct advantage. Furthermore, with Chelsea’s defensive core gradually ageing—Gary Cahill is approaching 30, and Branislav Ivanović has also logged heavy minutes in recent seasons—injecting youth and athleticism into the backline has become a priority.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not signalled an intention to sell. With Varane regarded internally as the heir to the club’s central defensive leadership, letting him go would be a significant decision. But should Varane seek more guarantees about his role, and should Chelsea offer him a starring position in one of Europe’s top leagues, the Spanish giants may face a difficult choice.
For now, speculation continues to swirl. But what’s certain is that José Mourinho is not one to let a trusted talent slip by—especially when the future of his defence is at stake.
