One of Xabi Alonso’s priorities this summer will be to sort out his options on the left wing, and if he is watching the World Cup, one Chelsea target will certainly have caught his eye.
Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens both arrived at Chelsea last summer, costing BlueCo a huge £100m in the process. But neither winger has been able to live up to their massive transfer fees on the left wing.
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Garnacho has arguably been the better of the two, and shown the odd glimpse. But even Chelsea fans have long grown fed up of his body language and outbursts, while Gittens has constantly been injured.
If Chelsea are to fight their way back into the Champions League next season, they need better options off the left flank, and Yan Diomande is certainly one player that would improve Xabi Alonso’s attack.
Yan Diomande impresses Joe Cole in World Cup debut
In the early hours of Monday morning, Diomande and the Ivory Coast played against Moises Caicedo’s Ecuador. Kendry Paez remained an unused sub, while Caicedo was heavily involved. Ivory Coast won 1-0.
A late Amad Diallo goal saw Diomande’s side win, but it was Diomande who caught the eye. The Leipzig star got the better of Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie on the right in the first 45, before switching to the left.
More natural from the left but still versatile enough to embarrass Hincapie on multiple occasions, clubs watching Diomande will be urging their owners to get the cheque book out, and sign the 19-year-old.
On Netflix’s The Rest Is Football, Chelsea icon Joe Cole was impressed with Diomande’s performance: “I was really impressed with Diomande, he’s playing in Germany with Leipzig. Hincapie was marking him.
“He [Hincapie] doesn’t get stop-started as a full-back as he did [tonight]. When you’re playing as a winger, and you trot your full-back, you could tell Diomande was like, ‘give me the ball’. Rapid.”
What are the chances of Chelsea signing Yan Diomande?
Incredibly, Diomande had a trial at Chelsea a few years ago. He also tried to showcase his talents with Rangers and Bournemouth, but nothing came to fruition. Now, he is a £60m player, and that’s rising.
Yan Diomande could replace Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea
He's been on fire this season 🔥
After his performance last night, there is every chance Leipzig will start requesting more; understandably so. It comes after a stellar season in which Diomande had a hand in 23 goals during 36 appearances.
Earlier this summer, it was claimed Chelsea had the ‘upper hand’ to sign Diomande ahead of Barcelona. Since then, it has been reported that Leipzig will not sell their £60m man and are offering him new terms.
Europe’s elite are interested and without Champions League football, the Blues stand little chance of fending off interest from other clubs in Europe’s elite competition. But, Chelsea can offer a starting spot.
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