Real Madrid News
Stats: Real Madrid superstar Yan Diomande produces electric attacking display against Ghana
Yan Diomande has been eased into life at Real Madrid after securing a blockbuster summer move to Los Blancos from RB Leipzig.
Mourinho has chosen to tread carefully with the talented teenager, and he has shown signs of coming to life in recent games.
His price tag has unsurprisingly brought about a lot of debate, and Diomande hit back at his critics recently, remaining confident of his success at the club.
Diomande is now on international duty with Ivory Coast, where he is one of the first names on the team sheet.
The 19-year-old may not have found the net for Ivory Coast against Ghana, but the Real Madrid youngster hardly needed a goal to underline just how dangerous he can be.
Diomande runs riot against Ghana
Wearing the No. 10 shirt, the 19-year-old ran the show, and his performance was difficult to ignore.
Diomande completed seven dribbles, won 10 duels and created three chances. He recorded 76 touches and completed 91% of his passes, combining the explosiveness Madrid already know about with impressive efficiency in possession.
Interestingly, Ivory Coast deployed him primarily from the right rather than his more familiar position on the left. That did little to restrict him.
Diomande repeatedly drove at Ghana’s defence and even produced an elastico during the second half.
The only thing missing from his performance was a goal, with Yalcouye and former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie instead providing the finishes in the 2-0 win.
Mourinho has another reason to consider him
For Madrid, the performance is a reminder of what he can bring to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Diomande remains a developing player rather than a finished product, but his ability to beat defenders provides Mourinho with something valuable.
Seven completed dribbles and 10 duels won also underline that his game is not simply about spectacular moments. He was heavily involved and consistently willing to take responsibility.
His performance from the right is particularly encouraging because Madrid need someone to complement Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, who prefer to operate in the left-sided channels.
Against Elche, Diomande assisted Mbappe while operating from the right before becoming even more threatening after switching to the left.
That versatility can only help his case for more minutes. The Ivory Coast winger is competing with Vinicius for minutes on the left and Arda Guler for minutes on the right.
As things stand, he seems much more settled in his national team, where he is a superstar, than at Madrid, and that is understandable.
As the season goes on, there is no doubt that Diomande will have a crucial role to play for Los Blancos, and it remains to be seen how he develops under Mourinho.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
