Actual Madrid have made an enormous funding in Yan Diomande, however those that watched the winger earlier than his rise have been already satisfied that he had one thing particular.
The 19-year-old Ivory Coast worldwide has accomplished his transfer from RB Leipzig to Actual Madrid in a deal worth €125 million before potential add-ons, making him the costliest signing within the membership’s historical past.
Diomande’s fast rise has been exceptional, as he solely made his breakthrough at senior stage with Leganes earlier than transferring to Leipzig.
Nevertheless, his performances in Germany turned him into one in every of Europe’s most wished younger attackers.
Now, Borja Jimenez, who labored with the winger throughout his time at Leganes, believes Actual Madrid followers are but to see simply how a lot expertise their new signing possesses.
Borja Jimenez explains why Diomande stands out
Jimenez spoke about Diomande on ‘El Tertulión de los domingos’ on COPE (h/t Mundo Deportivo), explaining that the younger winger might shock lots of people as soon as they see him repeatedly.
“He’s a participant many individuals don’t know, having solely seen highlights, however I believe he’s going to shock a terrific many individuals together with his audacity,” he mentioned.
That confidence comes from private expertise, as Jimenez labored with Diomande when the participant was nonetheless attempting to ascertain himself, giving the previous Leganes coach a detailed have a look at his potential earlier than the winger turned a significant title.
One of many qualities that impressed him most was Diomande’s potential to make use of each toes naturally.
“He’s a participant who stands out; you possibly can’t inform if he’s proper–footed or left-footed when he’s on the ball,” Jimenez added.
That may be a notably useful high quality for a contemporary winger. Diomande can assault defenders from totally different angles and doesn’t seem restricted to 1 aspect of his sport.
Jimenez additionally highlighted his direct fashion and talent to take opponents on, stating,
“He’ll deliver loads of verticality to the sport, and he’s good at beating his man one-on-one.”
Diomande has already impressed coaches
Diomande’s potential to govern defenders is one other facet of his sport that caught Jimenez’s consideration.
“He has the power to cease – that’s, to deliver the ball to a whole standstill and anticipate the opponent to shut him down, and from there he feints.”
That pause earlier than accelerating is a crucial a part of Diomande’s sport.
Moderately than merely counting on pace, he can sluggish the motion down, anticipate the defender to commit after which use his method to create a gap.
Jimenez truly noticed this potential nearly instantly after Diomande joined Leganes’ reserve staff.
The previous coach recalled an incident from one of many teenager’s early coaching periods that left him struggling to know why the winger was nonetheless enjoying at reserve stage.
“Inside 15 or 20 minutes of coaching, he’d already proven us… I couldn’t perceive what that participant was doing within the reserve staff.”
The standard on show was so apparent that the teaching employees ultimately determined to take away him from the session.
