“Pepe has a problem and it is called Varane” – Mourinho takes swipe at defender

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, has taken a swipe at Pepe, after the defender criticized his treatment of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

“We have to have a bit more respect for Iker. The boss’s quotes were not the most suitable,” the 30-year-old told Canal Plus after Madrid’s defeated Valladolid on Saturday.

“Iker is an institution – at this club and in Spain. He has to know that we [the players] and the fans are behind him.”

Mourinho said that the defender was frustrated because he has lost his place in his team to Raphael Varane.

“Pepe’s comments? It is very easy to analyse what he says. Pepe has a problem and his name is Raphael Varane,” Mourinho said at his Friday press conference.

“A 31-year-old has lost his place to a 19-year-old. It’s the law of life. But who had the courage to field Varane? I did.”

The former Porto and Chelsea went on to explain why he prefers Diego Lopez to Casillas, insisting that there is no enmity between them.

“I like Diego Lopez more than Iker Casillas as a goalkeeper. This is not a personal decision, there is nothing bad between Iker and me,” he added.

“I like shot-stoppers who play well with their feet and who come off their line to collect crosses. Iker makes great saves between the posts, but I prefer a different type of goalkeeper.”

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