Real Madrid take cautious approach with club-record signing Yan Diomande

Real Madrid are following a carefully managed plan with Yan Diomande after deciding to avoid exposing their record signing to the difficulties experienced by Franco Mastantuono, according to a Spanish media report.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international joined from Leipzig in a deal worth €125m, with the total potentially rising to €140m if he reaches a series of performance-related targets.

Despite the size of the transfer, Diomande has not started a match for Real Madrid since arriving. He has featured for the club, but each appearance has come from the substitutes’ bench, usually during the final third of games.

Real Madrid’s approach is understood to have been deliberate. Mourinho has made clear that the club intends to introduce Diomande gradually, with no plans to depart from the strategy designed for him.

Before the match against Inter, the manager explained that Diomande had joined the squad late and would be integrated step by step. His opportunity, Mourinho said, would come in time.

The policy has also been viewed as a response to what happened with Mastantuono last summer. Mundo Deportivo reports that some observers see the club’s handling of Diomande as an attempt to avoid repeating the experience of the Argentina international.

Mastantuono arrived from River Plate for €63.2m at the age of 18, having been signed as a highly promising player expected to develop into a major star.

However, the Argentine was not given sufficient time to adapt to the demands of his new club. Instead, the plan was for him to start immediately under Xabi Alonso, and he was selected from the beginning in several matches rather than being eased into the team.

Mastantuono was unable to meet the high expectations placed on him by Real Madrid’s leadership. His starting opportunities gradually declined until he became a substitute.

His role was reduced further this summer when he moved to Fiorentina on loan.

Against that background, Real Madrid’s caution with Diomande is understandable. The club is seeking to protect a €125m investment the most expensive transfer in its history while giving the young player time to settle before placing him under the full weight of those expectations.