Mourinho makes feelings clear after Diomande's slow start at Real Madrid
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has backed Yan Diomande to “keep improving” as the forward looks to make an impact with the Spanish giants.
Diomande was one of the most coveted players in the summer transfer window, having also received interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the 19-year-old has made a slow start to life in Spain after joining Real from RB Leipzig for an initial €125million (£107m) rising to €140m (£120.1m).
The Ivory Coast international is yet to register a goal or an assist in his first six appearances for Real across both La Liga and the Champions League.
However, Diomande produced a better performance in Saturday’s 4-1 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu - his first start for his new club.
And Mourinho has urged patience with the young winger, pointing out that he has “very little experience” at the highest level.
In quotes carried by Spanish outlet Diario AS, Mourinho said after the win over Rayo: “He's (Diomande) going to keep improving.
“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. He can play on the right [and also] where Vinicius plays [on the left], and I have to make choices.
“I want the player to develop, as I know what the others are capable of.”
Diomande made just 46 senior appearances before Real move
Diomande has ascended to the top of the European game in a short space of time, having made just 46 senior appearances before joining Real in August.
The teen sensation played just 10 times for Leganes in La Liga before joining Leipzig last July, turning out 36 times for the Bundesliga outfit.
Real meanwhile returned to winning ways in La Liga after beating Rayo thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe and goals from Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras.
Mourinho’s charges won their opening three league games before suffering a 1-0 reverse at Real Betis last Friday (9 September).
Real also opened up their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Italian champions and Mourinho’s former club Inter Milan on Tuesday.
