This summer Real Madrid defender Rapahel Varane was heavily linked with a move to Premier League giants Chelsea. The Blues were looking for a solid young defender having sold David Luiz to PSG and had targeted Varane, who was signed by Jose Mourinho during his time at Real Madrid.

Varane struggled a bit last season under Carlo Ancelotti, as the Italian favoured a central defensive partnership of Pepe and Ramos mainly. He ended the season on a high, however, producing a superb performance in the final of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

The French defender was one of the most sought after players in Europe during 2011, and several European heavy weights were vying for his signature including Manchester United and PSG.

Varane says he rejected the chance to join PSG because he was unsure about their project under the Qatari owners. In the end he joined Real Madrid after he was assured of regular first team football.

Varane told L’Equipe: “PSG The project there wasn’t clear. The Qataris had only just arrived and it was all very vague.

“Manchester United They had just signed Phil Jones in my position.

“My first reaction when Real wanted to sign me was not, ‘Of course I will go’. I only made my decision when I knew that the coach wanted me to play in the first team.”

Phil Jones is an equally talented young versatile defender and probably best of the lot England have at the moment at his age. The problem with Jones is his career has been blighted with injuries that hampers his gradual development. Manchester United can only hope Jones will turn out as good as Varane in future.