After four days of the championship, it is time to take stock for Real Madrid. José Mourinho’s troops launched their season with three victories and a defeat, and satisfactions, as well as disappointments. Among the positive points, we find for example the level of certain players like Arda Güler, Dean Huijsen or Jude Bellingham, or the attitude of the team without the ball, generally more involved and more aggressive in recovery. Among the disappointments, we have to mention the midfield, with one more season, a certain lack of creativity to deplore.
While it would be unfair to already describe Yan Diomandé as a disappointment, it is clear that his case is beginning to raise questions. Substitute and entered into play during the four matches played so far, the Ivorian winger has not shown much for the moment. At least, not what the Merengues expect from a player who cost 140 million euros. Obviously, he is a young player, who needs time to adapt to his new club and his new teammates, although it should be noted that he already knows Madrid and La Liga since his time at Leganés, and is therefore not completely out of place.
The opportunities will come
We also see a Diomandé who seems to be playing with the handbrake a little, taking very little risk or initiative, playing it very safe. The complete opposite of what Real Madrid recruited him for, namely his profile as a player capable of creating imbalance very easily and setting fire to the rival defense at any time. But above all, if it seems impossible to imagine him taking Vinicius Jr’s place on the left lane, his competitor on the right side of the attack is none other than Arda Güler, perhaps the best player at the start of the season on the Merengue side. José Mourinho therefore has no reason to do without the services of the Truc, and Diomandé will have to be patient. Difficult, for the moment, to imagine him starting a big match.
But the opportunities will come. Real Madrid will face a particularly intense schedule in the coming weeks, and throughout the season in general, with La Liga, the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. We think, for example, of this return from the international break during which the Merengues will take on Villarreal, Roma, Sevilla, RB Leipzig and Barça in two short weeks. Rotations and injuries are therefore to be expected, and Yan Diomandé should have opportunities to show himself, in matches of a priori lower standard. Which isn’t necessarily any worse, to begin with. The various absences against Inter could also open the doors to the starting eleven this Tuesday, thanks to a combination of circumstances including the absence of Güler. Either way, when the real opportunities arrive, they will have to be seized.
