Exclusive interview 

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“He definitely fits in the profile we are looking for,” RB Leipzig director of sport Marcel Schäfer said about Yan Diomande. “Even though he was in Spain for just six months, he had some very impressive appearances. We looked for players with physical ability, who can create chances, and who can finish attacking actions. Yan is an outstanding talent with a high potential profile.” With that in mind, Leipzig had no problem meeting CD Leganés’ €20 million price tag to sign the 18-year-old Ivorian winger last summer. Significantly above his €1.5m market value. But the Bundesliga update is on October 14 and it is no secret that Diomande will be among the big upgrades.

For most, however, the transfer came out of nowhere. Furthermore, a glimpse at Diomande’s profile on Transfermarkt also highlights a unique career path. Only 18, the Ivorian moved to the United States with the dream of playing professional football. “It was in 2022, I went to the junior national team, the U17, but I was too young to play for a professional team,” Diomande said. “Then I went to the United States to try to study there and play football. I tried out for a few teams. I was at the Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC, but it didn’t work out. So, when I turned 18, I went back to Europe and signed to Leganes.”

During his time in the United States, Diomande played for the DME Academy and the Yulee Hornets High School. In 2023, Diomande was named STARI Player of the Year and helped the school’s affiliated team AS Frenzi win a 2023 United Premier Soccer League title. “I didn’t know what football was like in the United States,” Diomande said. “I was just trying to get more experience. But I quickly realized it wasn’t 100% for me. There football isn’t like basketball or American football, at least not yet.” Off the field, though, the time in America helped him with his personal development. “I was far away from my family, and it was difficult to live alone. I had to learn to control my emotions. Now I am more relaxed and can deal with being away from home, and that is helping me here at RB Leipzig.”

From CD Leganés to RB Leipzig – It is far more physical in the Bundesliga

Aside from the two unsuccessful trials at the Rapids and Charlotte, Diomande was also in high demand in Europe. The winger trained with a top-tier team in the Premier League and also with one of the major clubs in Greece, among others. But ultimately, he picked Spain and CD Legánes for his next destination in January 2025. From there, it took just ten LaLiga games, in which he scored one goal and provided two assists for Leipzig, for them to take notice.

“I wanted to take the next step, to go from a smaller team to a bigger team,” Diomande said when asked about his decision to move on to Leipzig. “I spoke to the director of the club and the coach as well. We had some very good conversations. They made me believe in the project. They want to work with young players who possess more quality and energy. It was the best option for me to come here.” What were those conversations like? “They told me that if I come here, I will get my minutes,” Diomande said. “They told me that if I work hard, I will get my chance. So, I am trying to work hard and fight for my spot in the first team.”

The coaching staff surrounding head coach Ole Werner certainly have placed their trust in the player. Diomande has been a regular, playing 346 minutes across six games in all competitions. Enough to get an impression of the type of football that is expected of him in Germany. “Here is more physical,” Diomande said. “In Spain, it is more about spending time with the football, and here it is far more physical. In Spain, I just had to worry about playing football, but here I need to go to the gym. You need to push harder on the pitch. I am working on that side of things, going to the gym to become stronger.”

Diomande: “Go to the gym to become stronger”

Working out at the gym to become stronger is one aspect that Diomande wants to improve. “I am a player with high intensity and like to dribble,” Diomande said when asked about his skills. “I think I have the potential to become a good player. I have time, I am young. Well, not too much time. I am also impatient (laughs). I am impatient because I want to become top tier.” What will it take to become a top-tier player? “Scoring goals,” Diomande said. “In my position, that is the most important thing, scoring goals. However, I must also work on my dribbling, passing, defending, and improve my teamwork. Still, the most important thing is to score goals. The top players score goals. But it is coming.”

With that in mind, Diomande named two unlikely teammates as his favorite RB Leipzig players. “I like Willi Orbán the best,” Diomande said. “But also, Castello Lukeba.” The two center-backs are perhaps odd picks for an attacking player. But Diomande picked them for one specific reason. “We can challenge each other. They are defending, and that is good for the team. However, they also challenge me in training, which makes me a better player. I like that about them.” In other words, the center-backs help Diomande improve his attacking play.

When it comes to modeling his play after other players, other examples come to mind. “I think Vinicius Junior is the best player in comparison,” Diomande said. “When it comes to mindset, my role model is Kylian Mbappé. I think you must have a good mentality. I think if your heart and mind are okay, then you will be okay overall. I try to work on that the most.” Those two aren’t the only players Diomande named. “I like to model myself on many players,” Diomande said. “My country has many good examples. Players who played with power, such as Gervinho, Yaya Touré, and Max Gradel, but my dream player isn’t from my country. My favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Diomande: “I want to play Champions League”

The Ivory Coast has produced several top players over the years. Diomande could soon be next. Indeed, on the day of the interview, Diomande found out that he had been called up by national team coach Emerse Faé. “It is always good to be in the first team,” Diomande said. “I am proud because that was my dream. A very big dream. I always wanted to play for my country in the first team, and today I am there, and I am very excited.”

Being called up to the Ivorian national team is certainly a dream come true. It also comes perhaps a bit faster than expected. But Diomande has hit the ground running at RB Leipzig this season. After a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich (6-0) to kick off the season, Leipzig have won four games in a row. “I want to have a great season personally and for the team,” Diomande said. “Our goal is to qualify for a European competition. We have a young team with many changes this summer. However, my ultimate goal is still to reach the Champions League. I came to Leipzig to play in the Champions League. That is why I am here.”