Yan Diomandé’s slow Real Madrid start as Mourinho urges patience | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s record signing Yan Diomandé remains largely a substitute, and his status could stay that way despite a first start. According to L'Équipe, the €125m fee, plus €15m in add-ons, has not changed José Mourinho’s cautious plan.

The 19-year-old has featured in five matches this season, only one from the outset. That start arrived on Saturday in the 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. He joined from Leipzig in the summer.

His display was diligent and defensively alert, yet the explosive dribbles heralded on arrival did not appear. Still searching for bearings and on-field understanding, he looked tactically adrift. It was a low-key bow, much like his previous cameos.

Mourinho is determined not to repeat last season’s rush with Franco Mastantuono, another costly 19-year-old who was pushed in too quickly and upset the hierarchy. Two weeks ago he said Diomandé’s potential is vast but he must be introduced gradually. With such a fee, expectations soar, yet he remains very young and naive.

The coach wants to shield him and allow adaptation in an unforgiving environment. Arda Güler’s fast start has not helped, and for now he sits behind Brahim Diaz, who has two starts. On Monday Mourinho said elsewhere he would probably play every game, but at Real he competes with Vinicius, Arda, Brahim and, from January, Rodrygo, who had a serious knee injury in March.

Before any take-off, the Ivorian may need patience from the bench.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”