Deschamps reserves special praise for Varane
France coach Didier Deschamps believes Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has "extraordinary maturity" after watching the 19-year-old in action recently.
By FOX Sports staff
Deschamps, who is fourth on the list of Les Bleus' most-capped players with 103 appearances to his name, was at the Santiago Bernabeu last Saturday to watch an understrength Real side beat Barcelona 2-1 in the league, a game in which Varane starred in.
Three days later, the Frenchman put in another impressive display to help his side knock Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16, leading to praise from his national team coach.
"For a 19-year-old, he shows extraordinary maturity," Deschamps said in Le Parisien.
"He had an outstanding performance in a match that was the level of a Champions League final [against United]."
Adding that the youngster had "great technical ability" and highlighting the fact that Varane's sparkling displays have relegated Pepe, "who is not just anybody", to the bench, Deschamps also stressed the importance that he avoided burnout given how quickly his career has taken off.
"He needs to maintain his quality for a long period," the ex-Juventus and Chelsea midfielder added.
"Playing at the highest level involves endurance."
Varane was called up by Deschamps to the France squad in August last year but is yet to win his first senior cap.