Chelsea chasing Real Madrid defender -- report

Upon first glance, you wouldn't really think that Jose Mourinho would feel any great need to reinforce his defence after the season they put up. But then you remember just how wobbly they were in the first half of the season -- when Chelsea were attempting to play a more expansive style -- and you realise why the manager might be interested in shoring up the back line. And when Raphael Varane's name comes into the equation... well that's fairly exciting.

Marca are reporting that the Blues are sniffing around the young centre back, who was perhaps the outstanding teenager in world football under Mourinho's guidance at Real Madrid. An injury has set him back this year, and with Carlo Ancelotti preferring the duo of Pepe and Sergio Ramos, it's not entirely out of the question that he'd be available for a reasonable price.

Yes, Chelsea have a good defence and plenty of centre back prospects waiting for their chance. No, Varane's not a sure thing. Yes, the link here is tenuous and probably entirely to do with the manager. And yes, we have bigger priorities this summer. And in Madrid's shoes I wouldn't sell him for any price. But still, even thinking about this is exciting.