Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé insists that Yan Diomande is entirely focused on the ongoing World Cup campaign, and will not be entertaining interest from would-be suitors until after the tournament, amidst ongoing reports linking him with a move to Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain.
The RB Leipzig wonderkid impressed in the Ivory Coast’s opener on Monday, catching the eye with his dribbling, technique and footwork as the West Africans held off Ecuador before winning it in the 90th minute through Amad Diallo.
The 19-year-old’s performance will only intensify the transfer speculation regarding his future, with Diomande entertaining talk of being interested by a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool in the build-up to the tournament.
“When we were in France, during the preparation, journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG,” Faé began, speaking after the victory over Ecuador.
“Here, they tell me he’s about to sign with Liverpool!
“I don’t know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career.”
Diomande caused constant problems for his opposite number – Arsenal fullback Piero Hincapié – despite the Ivorians being under the cosh for much of the contest, creating a match-high five goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
No Ivorian player touched the ball more than Diomande during an influential display, with the winger also completing four dribbles – bettered only by Amad – across the fixture.
“Yan – what can I say? I can’t put it into words,” Faé continued.
“He’s very talented, but beyond the talent, he’s very young and he’ll improve.
“He’s a kid who works hard, has a real team spirit, laughs with everyone, and he listens, listens to the technical staff whenever he’s given advice, and tries to do his best, as he’s told.
“It’s easy to work with someone like Yan, he’s so talented and has what is needed, plus he can give you the victory and was a real challenge for Hincapié, a Champions League finalist.”
Diomande was one of several young players in the squad playing the first World Cup match of their career, with no one in the squad having been present in 2014 when Ivory Coast were last present at the tournament.
