John Terry heaps praise on Raphael Varane and labels soon-to-be Manchester United defender a ‘top player’ who will ‘strengthen them’, while also comparing him to former Chelsea partner Ricardo Carvalho
- Manchester United are expected to officially announce Raphael Varane shortly
- Renowned star Varane will join the club in a £42million deal from Real Madrid
- John Terry has lavished praise on the defender and says he will improve United
- He compared World Cup winner Varane to ex-Chelsea man Ricardo Carvalho
John Terry has praised soon-to-be Manchester United defender Raphael Varane and compared him to his former centre back partner at Chelsea, Ricardo Carvalho.
Varane is currently in Manchester and has undergone his medical, with United now left to officially announce the £42million deal from Real Madrid.
Surprisingly, there have been some experts and punters questioning whether Varane will adapt to the Premier League, but Terry says he expects him to enjoy a fine start.
John Terry has heaped praise on soon-to-be Manchester United defender Raphael Varane
‘I think it’s a natural one for people to say that it will take time for players to adapt,’ Terry told Stadium Astro.
‘But when you’ve played at the level and kind of competition that he’s played at – winning the World Cup, Champions Leagues – he’ll hit the ground running I’m sure of that.
‘I think from the outside watching Man United from afar, that’s been the key area I think they’ve been missing over the last few years so it’s good to see them dip into the market and get such a top player.
Terry (above) has predicted Varane to adapt to the Premier League and improve United’s team
‘I think him and Harry (Maguire) will have a great relationship together. It kind of reminds me of myself and Carvalho, if I’m honest.
‘The kind of Rolls-Royce that Varane is and how good Harry is on the ball and aggressive as well. So I think they’ll be a great combination together and, like I say, it will definitely strengthen them moving forward.
‘But Varane is a top, top player and I’m looking forward to seeing how he does in the league this year.’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer yesterday admitted that Varane’s switch was affected by the World Cup winner’s time in quarantine, but expects it to be ratified soon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Varane’s switch has been delayed by his enforced quarantine
‘He hasn’t trained with us and all the dots over the I’s and crossed the T’s aren’t done yet. Things always happen and take time,’ United boss Solskjaer said.
‘Unfortunately with the [Covid] isolation, this has delayed things so it’s not 100 per cent done yet.
‘I can’t say he will be involved tomorrow, I can probably say he won’t be. The big hold-up was quarantine and isolation.
‘He’s been in Manchester and it will be done soon.’
Terry compared Varane to Ricardo Carvalho, his long-standing centre back partner at Chelsea
Carvalho, meanwhile, enjoyed six memorable years in the top-flight during his spell at Stamford Bridge, having won three titles and five other trophies there.
Recalling the arrival of the stalwart from Porto in 2004, Terry added: ‘Ricky kind of hit the ground running. I think the Portuguese league at the time was very physical and very demanding as well. So when he came in his personality was incredible.
‘The only thing I had to do as a player was to kind of pull him back, he used to always go on these mazy runs up the pitch and leave me isolated at the back so I used to have to scream at him to get back.
‘But again he was one of my favourite partnerships as a defender at Chelsea and I absolutely love him.’
