Chelsea were once an option for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, but the 19-year-old eventually decided to snub them.
Diomande is one of the most exciting talents in Germany right now. There is no Champions League football for Diomande and Leipzig this season, so their main focus has been on the Bundesliga, where the Ivorian is thriving.
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In 21 appearances, he has scored eight goals and provided three assists, which is a very good return for a young winger.
Amid his success at the Red Bull Arena, Diomande has discussed his journey there, a journey that involved turning down Chelsea.
Yan Diomande celebrates after scoring during RB Leipzig vs Stuttgart
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Yan Diomande has developed at Leganes and RB Leipzig
Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but Diomande has no regrets about turning them down.
By joining Leganes and then Leipzig, the Ivory Coast international says he has been able to play and develop, suggesting that would not have happened at Chelsea.
In an interview with Bild, Diomande said: “A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA.
“Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football. It’s not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I’m young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn’t get that on the bench.”
In Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda, Chelsea have a couple of talented teenage wingers themselves.
Be honest: If Estevao avoids injuries, is he actually destined to be GREATER than Eden Hazard?
Eden Hazard on Estevao Willian
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Estevao was able to score against Hull City in the Blues’ last outing, a 4-0 win against Hull City in the FA Cup. It was his seventh goal of the season.
While Chelsea have Estevao, Quenda, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho, their interest in Diomande does not appear to have disappeared.
an Diomande of RB Leipzig gestures during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg
Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images
Yan Diomande could still join Chelsea in the future
Last month, it was claimed that Chelsea are still keen on Diomande, though a deal will not be easy.
Some of Europe’s other top clubs are also thought to be interested in the former Leipzig star, while he is not going to come cheap.
Journalist Christian Falk recently told CF Bayern Insider that Leipzig want £87m for Diomande. According to Falk, that price tag will scare off Bayern, but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be willing to pay it or not.
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