No goals so far but José Mourinho calls for patience with Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid coach José Mourinho is calling for patience with Yan Diomande, a World Cup standout who is yet to score for his new club after three substitute appearances.

The 19-year-old Diomande joined Madrid for a reported 125 million euros ($146 million) from Leipzig earlier this month. He played again Sunday in Madrid’s 4-0 win over Malaga, but he was again unable to replicate the form he showed in the Bundesliga last season or with Ivory Coast during the World Cup.

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“He needs to go little by little,” Mourinho said after Madrid’s latest win in the Spanish league, its third from three games so far this season. “He’s played 20, 15, or 30 minutes in the three matches so far. He works well and a lot. He’s humble and eager to learn and work. He listens to me and to his teammates. He’s going to grow.”

The Portuguese coach said he couldn’t focus on Diomande’s transfer fee, but that he sees instead a young player with huge potential.

“Patience,” Mourinho said. “Usually, when people talk about such a huge figure, they expect someone who comes in and immediately takes the world by storm. That’s not the case. He’s very young, but he has incredible potential. Take it easy, patience.”

Diomande scored 12 goals and set up nine more in 33 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig last season, then had an outstanding World Cup before Ivory Coast was eliminated by Norway in the round of 32.

Madrid will play Real Betis in La Liga on Friday before welcoming Inter Milan in the Champions League on Sept. 8.

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