Hervé Renard has backed Yan Diomande to establish himself at Real Madrid, insisting the young winger has the talent and mentality to succeed despite facing fierce competition for places in José Mourinho’s attack.
Diomande, who joined Madrid from RB Leipzig in August, has found opportunities limited during his early weeks at the Spanish club. However, Renard believes the Ivorian needs time to adapt to the demands of playing for one of Europe’s biggest teams.
Speaking to journalist Alexandre Ruiz, Renard pointed to the quality and depth of Madrid’s attacking options as a major obstacle to Diomande securing a regular starting place.
“It is no secret that his preferred position is on the left wing. At Real Madrid, on the left there is Vinícius; on the right, Güler and Díaz; and in the central area, Kylian Mbappé and Bellingham, slightly deeper. That sums up the situation,” Renard said.
Despite the competition, the coach remains confident in Diomande’s potential.
“He needs to be given a little time. The talent is there,” Renard added.
The 19-year-old showed encouraging signs before the international break, registering his first league assist in his second league start against Elche before making an impact as a substitute against Atlético Madrid and later scoring his first against Villareal
His performances at Leipzig last season also suggest he could offer Madrid an alternative on the right flank. Diomande scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in the Bundesliga, establishing himself as one of the competition’s standout young attackers.
Renard also cited Diomande’s contribution to Côte d’Ivoire’s victory over Somalia, where the winger was moved to the right late in the match and helped create two decisive moments.
“He went down the wing, delivered a cross and we scored. Then, in the final move, he hit the post and Bazoumana Touré scored,” Renard said.
Beyond his technical ability, Renard believes the winger’s attitude will be crucial to his development in Madrid.
“I think he is approaching this situation in the right way. I see him as positive. With that attitude, he can go a long way,” he said.
For Diomande, the challenge now is to turn his early opportunities into a more consistent role in Mourinho’s side. Renard’s message is clear: patience will be important as the young Ivorian adjusts to the expectations and competition at the Spanish giants.
