“I don’t know what happened” – Rising star winger wanted by Europe’s elite on failed Chelsea move

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the Chelsea News

·28. Mai 2026

“I don’t know what happened” – Rising star winger wanted by Europe’s elite on failed Chelsea move

Chelsea were close to signing Leipzig’s in demand winger Yan Diomande after a trial a few years ago, and now probably wish they had done.

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One of the hottest names in the transfer market this summer is Yan Diomande, the electric Leipzig winger who has gone from total unknown to one of Europe’s most in demand players in the space of just a few years.

It seems like Chelsea were ahead of the curve, and almost signed him after a trial a couple of years ago.

Yan Diomande came close to being a Blue

“I had trials, first in Scotland, if I remember correctly, Glasgow Rangers,” Diomande 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.”

The fact that it was Pochettino in charge shows just how recently it was. It’s frustrating for Chelsea fans to have missed out on such a great talent, but frankly from Diomande’s position it’s the best thing that could have happened.

His incredible rise to the top over the last few years wouldn’t have happened if he was rotting on our bench or loaned out somewhere.