Kicking off this list is a player Jose Mourinho once described as ‘the best young defender in world football’ after watching him transform from prospect to prodigy during their two campaigns together at Real Madrid.
Indeed, there aren’t many young centre-backs who can compare to Raphael Varane, who has already captained the France national team, played 120 minutes in a Champions League final and forged himself a place in Real Madrid’s fan-voted all-time foreign Xi at the tender age of just 21.
He blends formidable physicality with an exceptional reading of the game and quality on the ball, but what stands out most about the Frenchman is his seemingly unshakable self-assurance, regularly prepared to risk expertly-executed last-ditch tackles, blocks and headers against some of the best attackers in world football.
Still yet to claim a place over the tried-and-trusted partnership of Sergio Ramos and Pepe however, the former Lens youngster may be prepared to leave the Bernabeu this summer if it meant more first team football. How much Chelsea would have to pay for his services, however, remains unclear.