Yan Diomande Discusses His Choice to Turn Down Chelsea

Yan Diomande has shared his thoughts on turning down Chelsea, believing it was the right choice.

The RB Leipzig winger opted for a move to Spanish club Leganes in 2024 instead of Chelsea. Last season, he played 10 matches in La Liga with Leganes, but the team was unable to avoid relegation. He later signed with Leipzig in the summer.

This season, the 19-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s top talents.

Diomande has netted eight goals in the Bundesliga and provided five assists, attracting attention from major European clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United, all likely to make bids this summer.

He also made his debut for the Ivory Coast last year, scoring three goals in nine appearances for the national team.

In a conversation with RBLive, Diomande reflected on his decision to bypass Chelsea, stating that focusing on first-team football has fueled his quick development.

“Many advised me to join Chelsea. But I paused and made my own choice,” he said.

“I knew the president of Leganes from my previous move to the USA. Faced with the option of Leganes or Chelsea, I took the risk, and thankfully it worked out. Patience is key in football. It’s not solely about money.

“If I perform well, the rewards will follow. I’m young and need game time to grow and boost my worth. Being on the bench wouldn’t help that.”