Click here to view Part 1 of this article.

Onto Varane. Varane’s popularity has risen considerably this season, immensely more due to last night’s performance at the Camp Nou, absolutely manhandling Messi and scoring a bullet header sealing Madrid’s memorable victory.

Varane, who stands at a sturdy 6 ft 3, is a considerably physically-representable defender who, much like Nastasic, is extremely well built.  Varane, who is 19, and is still blooming into his future physical prime, is excessively fast for a built center back. His ability to change speed and direction in an almost instantaneous fashion is compelling for a defender of such build; rarely do we see any defender, let alone at such a young age, master their speed to be their class attribute.

Due to his highly capable speed, stamina, agility and physical prowess, many strikers will struggle against him, of all sizes and technique, as he showed last night, constantly defiling Messi of the ball, with clever nicks and tackles.

For me, Varane’s best and most excessively used attribute  is his ability to read the game. A defender must have basic abilities to be a natural physical presence, aerial threat, capable of tackling/positioning and most definitely having the mental capability to understand and read passages of opposition play. Obviously, as you play more, you gain more. For someone who is just 19, Varane has an exceptional adaptation to reading passages of attacking play from the opposing teams. His ability to spot the threat, target it, and finally neutralise it, is that much similar to that of legend Fabio Cannavaro (who had to excel in this aspect, as he wasn’t as physically fortuitous as other defenders).

Varane, who joins Nastasic, as the ever-growing ‘new’ breed of technically enhanced defenders, is one of my favorite defenders to watch. His execution-ate ability to make precise passes and clever-non-rushed clearances  without slowing down play is that which managers aspire to find in exceptional midfielders; having it in a quality center-back is a dream that only few make reality.

Down to the analysis comparison (La Liga/Premier League stats).

Starting with Varane. Varane has had a total of 9 appearances so far for Madrid this season. The player, not surprisingly, has been able to create two goal scoring opportunities for the Galacticos, which however, weren’t converted. Varane having an average passing accuracy of 84% overall is that of an extremely high level for a defender having over 200 passes.

Nastasic has had 16 appearances in the league for City this season, contributing little to nothing going forward. Nastasic, however, proving he, so far, is the more technically adept out of the two with 86% passing accuracy with over 600 passes. This proving he, by almost having double the appearances, he has made triple the amount of passes and still attained a higher passing average. This makes Nastasic, statistically, the better defender of technicality.

In-depth Analysis:

As you can see the pair have their advantages over each over in various outlooks of their defensive statistics. In my opinion it is an equal positioning between the two statistically as, I consider the two key attributes of tackling and heading duels, are clearly won at one a piece.

Varane who has only made 7 successful tackles with that at 70% compared to Nastasic’s 95% with 25/26 completed, Nastasic is clearly the more dominant defender in winning tackles having flustered Varane in comparison. Varane has obviously played less games, so his statistics will vary to those of Nastasic’s, making this difficult in comparison of  numbers. Fouls committed: I don’t consider a true aspect of defending, as tactical fouls, compared to malicious, cannot be drawn from one another, so they are void. And obviously taking on is also invalid for a defender, as… well, obvious reasons.

Finally, headed dueling is clearly won in percentage by Varane with a solid 80% compared to Nastasic’s 64%. However, the La Liga is renowned for representing smaller forwards to the Premier League, so there may be some intake on that situation, however, there is no doubt Varane is seen a dominant aerial threat.

Overall, they are both clearly astounding and world-class defenders. Only being 19 and as inexperienced as they are, they will become two of the worlds greatest center backs we have come to know in this day and age of modern football.

But who is better?

Personally, I would go with Nastasic, statistic-wise. His statistic’s obviously prove he is a reliable and consistent counter-half to many strikers. However, Varane, as of late has impressed me more and has put in absolutely astounding performances, and from that I’m tempted to say him, so by cancellation, I’d have to go with an equal pressing.

Written by Trequartister

We’ve all come to know over this season just who Matija Nastasic and Raphael Varane are. We all know they play for the two billionaire super-clubs Manchester City and Real Madrid, but who is the better footballer?

In this article I will go detail for detail, statistic for statistic, to see who the best upcoming center-back in the world truly is.

Firstly, a bit about the players, an informative bio as such.

Both players are currently 19. Yes, only 19, and with only a month separating them in age, there can be no arguments to development and experience between them.

Starting with Nastasic: Nastasic signed for current Premier League Champions City on deadline day in August 2012. The fee is reportedly around a €15million+Stevan Savic, who was exchanged as part of the deal. Nastasic made his City debut in the massive clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (in which Varane also played). Nastasic has gone on to make 16 appearances for City.

Varane signed for Madrid in June 2011 for a smaller fee than Nastasic’s of around €10million. Varane’s debut came the September after signing in a 0-0 clash with Racing Santander. Varane’s first goal for Madrid made him the youngest foreign player, at 18 years and 152 days, to score a goal in a competitive match for Real Madrid. He has gone on to make 18 appearances for the club.

As we know, the two have faced each other before, such as the madness of the first Madrid vs City clash of the group stages in this season’s Champions League. Real Madrid won the game 3-2 due to two astounding late goals from Benzema and Ronaldo. Both players played the full 90 minutes and there wasn’t much to say for either of them, both picking up an average rating of 6. Few analyse that Benzema’s 87th minute equalizer was down to Nastasic’s poor marking and concentration, however, nothing can be taken away from the spectacular goal.

So, now that’s out of the way, let’s get down to the analysis.

Nastasic, as a center-back is touted to be much like that of Mats Hummels: technically brilliant. Technically, Nastasic possesses the ability in which many defenders are unable to, the likes of complete control, steady-headed awareness on the ball, and sublime passing are all attributes he, undoubtedly, has.

Nastasic is that of an increasing breed of technically enhanced defenders. Along with his technical ability, his defensive qualities and experience for a 19 year-old are that most never obtain. His demanding physical presence strikes fear into the attackers who he marks. Body-to-body, not many will win the battle against him. He is extremely agile for a center-back and has adapted to the clinical strikers, who possess next-level turning abilities. His defensive stance makes him hard to take on, treading back while facing the attacker proves almost inevitable to pass.

His tactical astuteness is another benefactor to his co-center-backs. Being so adaptable and maneuverable, Nastasic’s maturity to rotate positions is by far extreme examples of quality versatility. As well as being physically adept, he is also vocally; Nastasic is not one to buckle up and stay shut, he let’s his compatriots know of threats and runs through the midfield area, giving them chance to quickly lock down any goal threats.

However, as every human being and footballer player alike, weaknesses are valid. Nastasic’s main drop-down, is his inability to concentrate. The player, becomes lazy and distracted. Although young and obviously inexperienced - his schoolboy errors of dropping in concentration are no excuses for the level of football he plays week-in, week-out. His mentality seems to be what drops him down from being an all round complete defender right now. Physically and technically he’s rising to be the best. However, mentally, he’s dropping equal to that of the lower divisions.

Click here to view Part 2 of this article.

Written by Trequartister