Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has publicly backed Yan Diomandé to find his feet in Spain after the forward made his first start in Saturday's 4-1 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano. According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Mourinho urged patience with the 19-year-old winger, who completed a blockbuster €125 million move from RB Leipzig in August but had not registered a goal or an assist in his first six appearances for the club.
Mourinho Defends Real Madrid's Record Investment
Speaking after the win over Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho was quick to temper expectations surrounding the Ivory Coast international, who signed a seven-year contract at the Bernabéu running until June 30, 2033. "He's going to keep improving," Mourinho said in quotes carried by Diario AS. "He has very little experience playing top-level European football and has a lot to learn. His potential is clearly visible. He's a very strong player and gives us a lot of options."
Diomandé's €125 million initial fee—which could rise to €140 million with variables—makes him the most expensive signing in Real Madrid's history. This heavy financial outlay has placed immediate scrutiny on the teenager, who had made only 46 senior appearances before his move to Spain. The winger scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the Bundesliga last season, and now faces competition in a star-studded attacking lineup under Mourinho.
Squad Competition and the Right-Wing Role
Diomandé's path to regular minutes is complicated by an attacking rotation featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham. While Diomandé spent his breakout Bundesliga campaign primarily playing on the left, he was deployed on the right flank against Rayo Vallecano. Mourinho noted the youngster's versatility, stating: "He's a very strong player and gives us a lot of options. He can play on the right [and also] where Vinicius plays [on the left], and I have to make choices."
