Yan Diomande of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
Real Madrid have made a huge investment in Yan Diomande, but those who watched the winger before his rise were already convinced that he had something special.
The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has completed his move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid in a deal worth €125 million before potential add-ons, making him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Diomande’s rapid rise has been remarkable, as he only made his breakthrough at senior level with Leganes before moving to Leipzig.
However, his performances in Germany turned him into one of Europe’s most wanted young attackers.
Now, Borja Jimenez, who worked with the winger during his time at Leganes, believes Real Madrid fans are yet to see just how much talent their new signing possesses.
Jimenez spoke about Diomande on ‘El Tertulión de los domingos’ on COPE (h/t Mundo Deportivo), explaining that the young winger could surprise a lot of people once they see him regularly.
“He’s a player many people don’t know, having only seen highlights, but I think he’s going to surprise a great many people with his audacity,” he said.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Real Madrid have paid an initial fee of €125 million for Diomande. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
That confidence comes from personal experience, as Jimenez worked with Diomande when the player was still trying to establish himself, giving the former Leganes coach a close look at his ability before the winger became a major name.
One of the qualities that impressed him most was Diomande’s ability to use both feet naturally.
“He’s a player who stands out; you can’t tell if he’s right–footed or left-footed when he’s on the ball,” Jimenez added.
That is a particularly valuable quality for a modern winger. Diomande can attack defenders from different angles and does not appear restricted to one side of his game.
Jimenez also highlighted his direct style and ability to take opponents on, stating,
“He’ll bring a lot of verticality to the game, and he’s brilliant at beating his man one-on-one.”
Diomande’s ability to manipulate defenders is another aspect of his game that caught Jimenez’s attention.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Borja Jimenez has nothing but praise for the new Real Madrid signing. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“He has the ability to stop – that is, to bring the ball to a complete standstill and wait for the opponent to close him down, and from there he feints.”
That pause before accelerating is an important part of Diomande’s game.
Rather than simply relying on speed, he can slow the action down, wait for the defender to commit and then use his technique to create an opening.
Jimenez actually saw this ability almost immediately after Diomande joined Leganes’ reserve team.
The former coach recalled an incident from one of the youngster’s early training sessions that left him struggling to understand why the winger was still playing at reserve level.
“Within 15 or 20 minutes of training, he’d already shown us… I couldn’t understand what that player was doing in the reserve team.”
The quality on display was so obvious that the coaching staff eventually decided to remove him from the session.
Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Photo by David Balogh/Getty ImagesPhoto by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Real Madrid have made six signings in what has been a blockbuster summer transfer window, equally backed up by smart sales as well.
The club are not finished in the transfer market, with the club now prioritising the signing of a left-footed centre-back before the window closes.
According to Hector Gonzales on El Larguero, reinforcing the left side of central defence has emerged as one of the final objectives for Jose Mourinho and the sporting department as they continue shaping the squad for the new season.
Madrid are actively looking for a natural left-footer who can provide balance in the back line.
That profile would give Mourinho a different option in possession, particularly when building from the back.
A defender comfortable opening his body onto his stronger left foot can improve passing angles and progression.
Ibrahima Konate, France and Real Madrid player
Real Madrid have already signed Ibrahima Konate. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
It would also allow Madrid to avoid forcing right-footed centre-backs into unfamiliar roles on the left side.
Madrid’s current first-team squad has Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio and Ibrahima Konate as central defensive options.
Asencio’s future at the club is far from certain, and the Spaniard could be a candidate on the exit ramp this summer.
Meanwhile, while Huijsen is two-footed and can play on the left side of defence, he has struggled to get going so far in his Madrid career.
Rudiger is also adept at playing on the left side of central defence but the German is getting on in age and no longer the reliable option that he once was.
Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan player
Alessandro Bastoni has been linked with Real Madrid. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
That leaves Militao and Konate, both of whom are predominantly right-footed and quite limited when played on the left side.
The transfer market is definitely not short of naturally left-footed central defenders, should the club choose to go down that route.
There are the usual suspects like Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck, both of whom have been linked with moves to the club.
Even if Madrid decide to look elsewhere, there are talented defenders all around the world who would be a great fit for the team.
It remains to be seen if Madrid make signing a left-footed CB their priority in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.