Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has challenged young winger Yan Diomande to improve his finishing and decision-making in the final third, despite praising the Ivorian’s contribution to the club’s commanding 4-1 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga.
The Portuguese tactician believes Diomande possesses the qualities required to become an outstanding player but insists that greater composure in front of goal will be essential if the teenager is to fulfil his potential at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Speaking after Sunday’s victory, Mourinho expressed satisfaction with the winger’s performance while making it clear that there remains considerable room for improvement.
“I am very happy with Diomande. He has a lot to work on, and he has many things he needs to improve. He needs to work on his finishing,” Mourinho said, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Madrid manager also highlighted the importance of remaining calm when opportunities arise, explaining that Diomande must learn to make better decisions when approaching the opposition’s penalty area.
“He gets to a lot of dangerous positions, but he needs to learn to relax more and make a better decision in the last touch,” Mourinho added.
The comments reflect Mourinho’s determination to develop the 19-year-old into a more complete attacking player rather than allowing his impressive physical qualities and ability to beat defenders to overshadow areas requiring further work.
Diomande has already demonstrated his potential since arriving at Real Madrid from RB Leipzig in a high-profile summer transfer. His pace, dribbling ability and willingness to take on defenders have given Mourinho another attacking option, particularly with Vinícius Júnior unavailable for Sunday’s encounter against Sevilla.
The Ivorian winger played an important role in Madrid’s victory, providing the assist for Arda Güler’s opening goal before scoring a spectacular strike of his own in the second half.
Güler broke the deadlock in the 30th minute after receiving the ball from Diomande on the edge of the penalty area. The Turkish midfielder produced an excellent finish, lifting the ball beyond Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the top corner.
Madrid doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Jude Bellingham assisted Kylian Mbappé, who produced an impressive individual move before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
Mbappé subsequently converted a penalty in the second half to extend Madrid’s lead before Manuel Bueno pulled one back for Sevilla.
Diomande then delivered the final blow in the 82nd minute, unleashing a powerful right-footed effort from outside the penalty area after receiving a pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni.
The strike restored Madrid’s three-goal advantage and capped an encouraging performance from the young winger, who contributed both creativity and a goal to the team’s attacking display.
Despite the result, Mourinho’s assessment indicates that he expects more from a player who has attracted considerable attention because of his transfer fee and potential.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged that Diomande remains an unfinished product, pointing to the pressure associated with playing for one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
Mourinho suggested that the winger must learn to manage expectations and focus on improving his performances rather than being distracted by the financial scale of his transfer.
The manager also drew comparisons with Vinícius Júnior’s development at Real Madrid, recalling how the Brazilian needed time to establish himself before becoming one of the team’s most influential attacking players.
The comparison offers encouragement for Diomande, whose age suggests that there is still considerable time for him to refine his game and become more decisive in important moments.
For Madrid, the priority will be to ensure that the Ivorian’s development continues alongside the team’s immediate ambitions. His ability to advance the ball, stretch opposing defences and create opportunities gives the club a valuable attacking weapon, but Mourinho wants those qualities to translate into more consistent end product.
Diomande’s performance against Sevilla demonstrated why the club invested heavily in his services. However, the manager’s message was equally clear: reaching dangerous positions is only part of the job. The next step is to make those situations count through accurate finishing, improved awareness and better decisions under pressure.
Real Madrid will now turn their attention to their upcoming Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig before preparing for next weekend’s El Clásico against Barcelona.
With crucial matches approaching, Mourinho will hope Diomande can build on his latest performance and continue developing the consistency required at the highest level.
For the young winger, the challenge is not simply to impress with his pace and technical ability but to become a player who consistently influences results.
Mourinho’s assessment was therefore both a warning and an endorsement. He recognises Diomande’s talent, but he expects the teenager to work hard, remain composed and turn his promising performances into sustained excellence.
If the Ivorian can improve his finishing and decision-making in the final third, he could become an even more dangerous attacking option for Real Madrid as the season progresses.
Final Result: Real Madrid 4-1 Sevilla
Diomande’s contribution: Assist for Arda Güler’s opening goal and a spectacular strike in the 82nd minute.
