According to journalist Rodra of ESPN, Real Madrid’s technical staff have been highly impressed by summer signing Yan Diomande’s first few days at the club training facilities.
The 19-year-old forward recently completed his historic, record-breaking transfer from German club RB Leipzig for a guaranteed fixed fee of €125 million, which could eventually rise to €140 million when including all performance-related variables.
While the teenage Ivory Coast international is yet to make his debut for Real Madrid in pre-season, it appears that the early impressions in training have already made an impact.
Immediate impact
Diomande arrived at Real Madrid after participating at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, and has been unable to do a full pre-season so far as he was not completely integrated in training at Leipzig either before his exit.
Making a positive impression. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Despite that, the young winger is understood to have made a big impression on those at Valdebebas in his first few days at the Spanish capital club.
The teenager has arrived in exceptional physical condition, boasts explosive pace, and sharp technical skills which have seemingly been on display during the training sessions.
Even though he was deemed not ready to feature in the previous two friendlies against Ferencvaros and Deportivo La Coruna, Diomande appears to be making the right noise at the Real Madrid Sports City.
Diomande’s signing a request from Mourinho
The teenage winger’s strong start is likely to give head coach Jose Mourinho a major boost as he finalises his tactical plans for the upcoming domestic campaign.
Mourinho personally pushed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to sanction the record-breaking financial layout to sign Diomande this summer.
The Ivorian prodigy, who registered 12 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga last season, has what it takes to be a vital asset to Mourinho, with his ability provide explosive width, direct dribbling, and goal threat in the frontline.
As such, the positive impression Diomande is making in his early training sessions at Real Madrid are bound to generate excitement among those at the club as well as the fans.
If there are no setbacks, there is a strong likelihood that the Ivorian could finally make his bow for his new club later this week when Los Blancos face Schalke in a friendly.