According to _AS_, former Leganés captain Sergio González believes Diomande has the ability to join Real Madrid.

Q: When did you first see Diomande?

A: It was in a training match between the first team and the reserve team. I knew many players in the reserve team, but not him. I think he arrived in December, and he was a bit injured then, so I hadn't seen him before.

Q: What was your first impression of him?

A: Shock. We couldn't believe how good he was. From his first touch, you could tell he was different. The first-team players looked at each other, all asking where he came from. We probably won that match 7-1, but he scored a goal and gave us a hard time on the left wing. His moves were so flashy; we couldn't defend against him at all. I had never seen a reserve team player shine so brightly that day.

Q: What impressed you the most?

A: Everything. His skill level is excellent, he's fast, strong, can attack from both sides, has great awareness for link-up play, always attacks the defense, and has good shooting ability. He made an impression at first sight. He's still young, but he already plays like a mature player, and it was clear he would soon be promoted to the first team, which he was. He made his debut quickly, and it was at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Q: Who does he remind you of?

A: It's hard to compare him to one person because he doesn't stand out for just one ability. He is very well-rounded and excellent in many aspects. Technically amazing, strong understanding of the game, excellent one-two passing, outstanding off-the-ball runs, strong in dribbling, beating players, and exploiting space... He is an all-around player, and it's hard to name just one strongest point.

Q: Did you think at the time that he would become a phenomenal player?

A: Without a doubt. When he started training with us, we realized that the training match was not an fluke; that was his real level. It was clear he was a gifted player.

Q: Did you help him integrate into the team?

A: Yes. I tried to stay close to him and help him as much as possible, especially to understand what professional football is, because he hardly knew anything back then. I would talk to him about routine, diet, rest, training habits, fitness... telling him to not only give 100% in training but also to take good care of himself outside of it. Borja and the coaching staff also kept an eye on him; he would usually stay after training to practice shooting and set plays.

Q: Is he shy?

A: He has an interesting contrast: very shy off the field, but very bold on it. He listens very carefully and is very polite. Overall, I was very impressed by his humility. He's a great kid.

Q: Would you be surprised if no La Liga giants paid €20 million for him?

A: It's not easy, because he only played 10 games with us. He improved a lot, adapted very well, and his potential was clear, but in such a short time, it's hard to bet on such a young player.

Q: He is shining in Germany...

A: What he has achieved is not common. He has delivered superstar-level statistics in an extremely competitive league, where demands are very high. He has already proven that he doesn't just have a future, but already has a lot of current value. I'm not surprised that top European clubs are fighting for him.

Q: Which side is he better on?

A: He's strong with both feet, but he prefers to cut in from the left and shoot with his right foot, which is one of his strongest weapons. He can also go wide because he's very strong. I've seen him play on the right in Germany and at the World Cup, and he's strong on both sides. He's very versatile and destined to conquer the world.

Q: Do you think he's suitable for Real Madrid?

A: We'll see when it actually happens, but my feeling is he can do it. I think that not being the absolute core or the center of attention might actually help him play his football from behind the scenes. For him, it would be better if the initial pressure wasn't too high. Slowly, he will take on more responsibility, but talent-wise, he can definitely play for Real Madrid.

Q: Can he reach the level of Yamal?

A: Honestly, yes. It might sound crazy, but looking at his growth trajectory, I think he can reach that level. Yamal is more consistent and has proven himself for a while, but if Yang gets the opportunity, I believe he can reach Yamal's height, or even surpass him. He's a talent monster, his potential is incredibly exaggerated, absolutely a phenomenal player. He is at this level, and he will prove it. He has taken big steps again and again, and now he is about to make another leap. My only biggest doubt is whether he can mentally handle the pressure.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com