RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has revealed he spoke to Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, but for some reason the Blues didn’t want him.
So, Foot have an interview with the 19-year-old today. He revealed that Chelsea could have had him years ago, only for them to let him depart.
Chelsea trial
Yan Diomande is one of the hottest rising stars in Europe after establishing himself as a key player at RB Leipzig this season.
He joined from Spanish side Leganes for €20m last summer and has enjoyed nothing but an upward trajectory since. A record of 12 goals and nine assists in the Bundesliga this season has Europe’s elite chasing him already.
A report yesterday explained that only four sides in Europe are realistic suitors: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
That is due to his current valuation of €100m, although a transfer is more likely to happen at €150m. Chelsea were not named among the group, although they have been listed among the suitors in the past.
Pochettino chat
And it seems they could have avoided such an expensive battle as well. Diomande has explained he spoke to Mauricio Pochettino at the club. That was when he was looking to move from America, before he eventually went to Spain with Leganes.
“So, I had trials, first in Scotland, if I remember correctly, Glasgow Rangers,” he said.
“Then at Chelsea, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Olympiacos. They all went well on the pitch. At Chelsea, I even spoke with Mauricio Pochettino.
“But then, I don’t know what happened, it didn’t work out. So, after my last trial in Greece, I left my agent and told him, “That’s it, we’re done.”
“I called the president of Leganés and went there to sign a professional contract. I was still a minor, but I was approaching 18.”