Diomande gaining polish with speed

GROWING GLITTER: The Ivorian player, hot off a high-visibility performance at this year’s FIFA World Cup, is gaining the experience he needs playing for Los Blancos

When Real Madrid splashed a club record 140 million euros (US$157.2 million) to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig this summer, it was because of his clear potential to become one of the game’s stars, as showcased at the World Cup.

That talent has begun to unveil itself in the past few matches, with Diomande lashing in a spectacular strike against Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga ahead of a reencounter with his former side Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

However, Diomande’s sheer potential was not the only reason Madrid forked out.

Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande scores his team`s fourth goal during the game against Sevilla in Madrid on Sunday.

Photo: AFP

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez pledged to fans during his campaign for reelection in June that he would pay for a new star as Madrid tried to rebuild following two seasons without a major trophy.

Diomande had demonstrated exciting promise, shining with Leipzig during just one season in Germany after emerging at Spain’s Leganes.

The 19-year-old did not join Madrid to fill an obvious vacancy, with his arrival actually exacerbating an overbooking in attack.

On the same day Diomande’s transfer was announced, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior signed a new deal until 2032 with Real Madrid.

Madrid struggled last season to find their balance with Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius on the pitch together, let alone throwing a new attacking star carrying a record price tag into the mix.

For a combination of those factors, it should not come as a surprise that Diomande is still finding his footing in the Spanish capital.

The youngster has shown flashes of his great quality, without firmly establishing himself as an essential figure for coach Jose Mourinho, although he is improving.

Diomande scored his first goal for the club against Villarreal on Oct. 10, securing Real Madrid a 1-0 win.

The winger’s superb finish was not the biggest news, after Vinicius was dismissed later in the game.

That made room for Diomande to settle in, with the winger starting on the left wing in Sunday’s 4-1 rout of Sevilla, in which he lashed home from long range in the final stages.

Diomande assisted the opener for Arda Guler, in his best performance for the club so far. He has two goals and three assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.

“He has a lot to improve, he’s young, he’s still naive, he’s still not the finished article,” Mourinho said on Sunday. “At Real Madrid, the demands are very high ... but he had a great game, he’s growing.”

Diamonds form under pressure, and in his career Diomande has dealt with it on and off the pitch.

He suffered rejection after leaving Ivory Coast to go to school in Florida, and was unable to reach a deal with MLS sides Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids.

Eventually the winger’s senior debut came with Leganes against Real Madrid in March last year, and in 10 games for the club he scored twice, earning himself a move to Germany.

Diomande helped Leipzig reach the Champions League with 12 goals and eight assists, and he was named “rookie of the year” in the Bundesliga, before his Madrid move.

The winger said he is spurred on by tragedy from his life. His sister Roxane, who encouraged his soccer career, died at age 15 last year.

At the record 15-time European champions, Diomande has the chance to become the best.

“He has to improve his finishing ... assist better ... but that will come,” added Mourinho.

“I remember when Vinicius arrived [and struggled], and in two or three years Vinicius was a top drawer player.”

Vinicius is not suspended in Europe, but Diomande should be hoping Mourinho gives him another chance to shine against his former side Leipzig tomorrow, as Madrid aim for a third win from three Champions League games.