Yan Diomande, a 17-year-old from Abidjan, has become a real gem for Madrid. He shares many characteristics with Vinicius, and his vertical effect is a key factor in his success. Diomande is sharp, agile, and possesses devilish acceleration, reaching a top speed of 34.7 km/h at the World Cup. While he still lags behind Kylian Mbappé, who reaches 37.6 km/h, Diomande’s dribbling ability is undeniable. He successfully completes almost twice as many dribbles as another top Bundesliga player, Michael Olise.
Unlike Vinicius, Diomande doesn’t break play or connect passes. Instead, he excels with his vertical effect, using his sharpness and acceleration to outmaneuver opponents. At RB Leipzig, he played more minutes on the right wing, but his versatility allows him to play on both wings effectively. Last season, he accumulated more minutes on the right (1,591) than on the left (478).
With a wealth of data, we’re putting all the cards on the table to help you decide: where does Diomande play better, left or right? By analyzing his success radars on ‘Dribbling,’ we can compare his performance on both wings. On the right side, he tends to receive the ball wide, hugs the touchline, and adopts a more cautious approach. If he doesn’t see an opportunity, he starts again.
When playing on his natural side, Diomande dominates with a more aggressive approach, beating his man on the outside, reaching the forward line, and cutting the ball back. He tends to miss his mark more through physicality than through urgency. Diomande’s left leg, although capable, is more of a resource than a ‘weapon.’ He relies on it to get past opponents in long sprints, but it’s not as polished as his right leg.
The intimidation factor of Diomande’s left leg generates an ‘escape route’ for him to counter defenses in depth. He often attracts up to three signs, drawing opponents to attack the edge of the box or the weak side with a pass across the field. This strategy has become a key part of his game.
Interestingly, the numbers show that Diomande produces more volume in 90 minutes when working on the right. He rushes more, ends more crosses, and entry into the area, and has a higher shooting range and expected goals. However, the feeling is that the former Leganés player offers a more unrestrained version when he plays to the left.
On the left, Diomande tracks down a higher number of touches in the box (7.8 vs. 6.51). He no longer looks overwhelmed from the outside and doesn’t defeat his opponent exclusively through force. His command of his right leg gives him way in to shoot or cross, and provides security to play more straight, seeking to drive through skill.
When playing on the left, Diomande improves his participation in xG (1.17 vs. 0.84) and expected assists (0.43 vs. 0.21). He becomes more of a catalyst, an influencer, seeking to create chaos. On the right, he collects more volume/production, but on the left, he excels at creating opportunities off the ball.
The fact that Diomande creates offensive opportunities off the ball is a key aspect of his game on the left. He usually has fewer options/space to receive and tries to counter it with quick passes to teammates and attacking the back line of the defense. At speed and with meters ahead of him, he becomes unstoppable.
Diomande’s defensive attitude/position doesn’t matter much if he plays on the right or left. In press after losing the ball, he’s proactive and supportive, recovering the ball and making crucial interceptions. He recorded the most ball recoveries (148) among Bundesliga strikers who played at least 1,000 minutes.
In static attacks, Diomande tends to take on a more responsive role, limiting himself to covering his position. However, he has a great ability to ‘turn on’ as soon as turnover occurs. In transition, he plays a more central role and is especially dangerous with his ball bare, attacking the spaces behind the defense without the ball.
Diomande’s talent in transition is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Di María, who excelled at running into space. The question is: will he do it on the left or right? And what do you prefer?
This is how Diomande plays on the right wing.
This is how Diomande performs on the left wing.
Diomande’s defensive behavior is a key aspect of his game, showcasing his proactive and supportive approach in press after losing the ball.