Real Madrid newcomer puts pressure on Mourinho after stellar performance for national team | OneFootball

The international break has given Jose Mourinho some valuable time to not only ruminate on the team’s weak points but also take a closer look at players who have not been performing.

Yan Diomande is one of those players who have had a slow start to the season, after making a big-money move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

The Ivorian is yet to score a single goal in eight competitive appearances so far this season and is not looking like the player Real Madrid paid €140 million for.

Diomande impresses for Ivory Coast

That being said, some players, despite having quality, simply do not fit into a certain system, and Diomande has been proving that during the international break.

Diomande has yet to get going at Real Madrid so far. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

As reported by AS, the former RB Leipzig forward is now putting selection pressure on Jose Mourinho following his brilliant showing for Ivory Coast against Ghana.

The Ivorian tormented Ghana in a 2-0 win, once again proving why he is such an important player for his country.

Having been handed the prestigious number 10 shirt and ownership of the left flank, Diomande is being tipped as his nation’s new superstar heading towards the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.

His coach, Herve Renard, was full of praise. “Yan made the difference on his flank; his performance was excellent. He allowed us to create more space,” Renard said, before highlighting his tactical discipline.

“In the final stretch, he was very disciplined, he moved in sync with the team, that’s very important for the team.”

That defensive commitment has also been evident at Real Madrid, with 73.3% of his 15 ball recoveries across his last three club games coming after he or his team lost possession.

Can Diomande make a breakthrough after the break?

Can Diomande replace Vini in the Real Madrid starting XI? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The big question now is whether Diomande can translate his international form into a more prominent role at Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old currently offers Mourinho a versatile, dual-purpose option, capable of competing with Arda Guler on the right or deputising for Vinicius Jr on the left. Crucially, the latter’s poor form could open the door for the Ivorian.

Vinicius has endured a miserable start to the campaign, scoring just once and being substituted in four consecutive matches. Should that slump continue, Diomande may well seize his chance to stake a genuine claim for a starting berth.

With Villarreal on the horizon when club football resumes, Diomande will be hoping his impressive international showings have done enough to earn him more minutes.

If he can carry that momentum into the domestic season, Real Madrid’s record signing could quickly become a key figure in Mourinho’s plans.