Why did he join Bournemouth?... Bafodé Diakité answers the questions! | OneFootball

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Bafodé Diakité's move to the English Premier League was the surprise of the summer transfer window. The Franco-Guinean defender, a stalwart at LOSC, made a monumental leap in his career by signing for Bournemouth, a transfer that left many observers questioning the logic.

Yet, for Diakité himself, the choice was crystal clear. In a candid explanation on RMC Sport's After Angleterre podcast, the 24-year-old from Toulouse revealed a personal challenge he had set for himself.

“I know that my transfer here may have surprised many, but I wanted to discover the Premier League. It's the best league in the world, and I want to see what I'm worth. I know that for my position, clubs often like big, physical central defenders. That's not me [at 1.84m], but why not show that you don't have to be a giant to be good? At Newcastle, they might even mistake me for a midfielder.”

This self-aware confidence has defined his journey. Having established himself as a defensive pillar in Lille, he caught the discerning eye of Bournemouth's hierarchy, who were convinced enough to make a significant investment. Now, with eight appearances under his belt across all competitions, Diakité is on a mission.

He is not just playing in the world's most demanding league; he is seeking to prove that talent and intelligence can triumph over pure physical stature, with his market value of €35 million standing as a testament to the potential others see in his unique qualities.