Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard backs Yan Diomandé to thrive at Real Madrid

Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard believes Yan Diomandé has significant room for development after the young winger’s reported €140m move to Real Madrid.

Renard, who was recently appointed as coach of the Elephants, is closely following the progress of the 19-year-old and says his focus is on the player’s potential rather than the size of his transfer fee.

Speaking exclusively to Africafoot, the French coach praised Diomandé’s ability and identified his dribbling as one of his strongest qualities.

“He will progress a lot. He is a young player with a lot of talent. He is an atypical profile, an excellent dribbler ,” analyzed the French coach.

Diomandé’s rapid rise has been particularly notable given how little-known he was only 18 months ago.

The Ivorian was playing for Leganés in Spain before his move to RB Leipzig provided him with an opportunity to take another significant step in his development.

His performances in Germany subsequently helped him establish himself at international level with Ivory Coast.

“A year and a half ago, he wasn’t very well known when he was playing for Leganés in Spain. Since then, he has had a very successful spell at Leipzig in Germany, and he has become an international player , ” recalls Renard.

The winger’s reported transfer to Real Madrid represents another major stage in his rapid progression.

However, Renard does not believe Diomandé should be judged according to the €140m figure attached to the move.

The Ivory Coast coach stressed that the player has no control over the fees involved in transfers and should not carry the burden of expectations created by the reported amount.

“Diomandé is not responsible for these very high prices ,” he stressed.

For Renard, the transfer fee is therefore less important than what Diomandé can develop into as he begins the next stage of his career.

The French coach is particularly interested in seeing how the young winger adapts and progresses at Real Madrid.

Diomandé’s development will also be closely followed from an Ivory Coast perspective, with Renard looking at how his growth can ultimately benefit the national team.

The coach believes the winger still has plenty of room to improve despite the rapid progress he has already made.

From his time at Leganés to his breakthrough at Leipzig and subsequent emergence with the Elephants, Diomandé has moved quickly through the different stages of his career.

His reported move to Real Madrid now provides another challenge and opportunity for the young Ivorian.

Renard’s assessment is clear: the transfer fee should not define the player. Instead, the Ivory Coast coach wants to see what Diomandé can become and the contribution he can make to the national team.

“What interests me is what he can bring to the team ,” the coach insisted.

For Renard, Diomandé’s future development and his ability to contribute to Ivory Coast remain more significant than the financial value attached to his transfer.