Surprise recruit from Real Madrid this summer, Yan Diomandé (19 years old) probably did not expect to join Casa Blanca in exchange for €140 million. After a very successful season at RB Leipzig (13 goals, 10 assists in 36 matches), the Ivorian winger (14 caps, 3 goals) was mainly in the sights of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. However, neither of these two clubs wanted to accept the XXL financial demands of the German club. Lacking a flagship recruit, Madrid therefore went ahead and made Diomandé the most expensive recruit in its history.
Logically closely scrutinized by Real Madrid followers, the Ivorian had a more than timid start. Substitute during his first four matches with the Merengues, the former resident of Leganés is finally starting to find a place. Established in Real Madrid’s last two matches in La Liga (against Rayo Vallecano and Elche), Diomandé went from ghost recruit to “threat” for a Vinicius Junior who was more than contested in the pages of the local press.
Mbappé has no doubts
A decisive passer against Elche, the Ivorian international even received the first compliments from José Mourinho. “He is progressing. Physically, we see that he is starting to get more minutes in his legs. He has a very good capacity for work, he is intelligent and he had a great match. » Diomandé is making progress, but will he end up establishing himself among the galaxy of stars, particularly with the announced return of Rodrygo? The future will tell us. Still, Diomandé was able to count on the support of Kylian Mbappé. Asked by A.S.the Frenchman was very clear about the level of the summer recruit.
“He is at a stage of his journey. It’s about building the relationship between the players, the collective. Diomandé is one of them now. As soon as he arrived in Valdebebas on the first day, we saw that he had talent. Then people talk a lot during the matches, about the 140 million and all that. He is young, he is 19 years old, but the quality is there. We see it and he has already proven that he has assets. We try to protect him and all the players on the squad, because in the end, we are going to need everyone. A season is very long and if we want to be in contention for all the titles, we cannot be satisfied with an eleven. » The interested party will appreciate it.
