Raphael Varane is not learning the game, says Terry Gibson
Monday 21 March 2016 21:14, UK
Zinedine Zidane faces a battle to improve the form of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to Terry Gibson.
The 22-year-old was at fault for giving away a penalty against Seville last weekend and has been in and out of the starting XI all season.
The Frenchman joined Real in 2011 and was hailed for his displays in helping his side lift the Champions League in 2014.
However, he has only made 18 starts out of a possible 30 for Madrid this season and Gibson is unsure why the defender has struggled for form but believes Zidane must rebuild the player's confidence.
"From this player we saw burst onto the scene, that for three years no one questioned was the most exciting young central defender in European football, suddenly I can understand why Zidane has second thoughts about who is the centre-back pairing," Gibson told La Liga Weekly Podcast.
"Is he still relying on his pace and not learning the game? His pace will always get him out of trouble and will ensure he has a wonderful career but he should be improving as a player.
"Personally, I would stick with Varane and try and rehabilitate him. He's had a couple of hard seasons in terms of everything going so well to suddenly being left out for games and now he suddenly doesn't look as confident. Zidane now has to get him back to his best."
Gibson was also critical of Valencia manager Gary Neville, and says the former Manchester United player needs to stop talking so much in press conferences.
Neville took over the job in December and has had a disastrous run which has left his side six points away from relegation.
"I think Gary Neville speaks too much in his press conferences," Gibson added.
"He has got to understand the difference to being a pundit on Sky, where he is paid to talk and having an opinion, and perhaps behave like some of the experienced managers to answer the questions that are asked and not to venture into other territories.
"Sometimes it's better to say less and not give people a chance to be too critical of everything you say."
