Yan Diomande has become “the talk of the town” among Europe’s elite clubs, with a manager who previously scouted the RB Leipzig midfielder explaining why Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are tracking the Ivory Coast international.
The 20-year-old, who moved to the Bundesliga side from Spanish club Leganes, is starring at the World Cup. A manager who worked at Brentford and later faced Diomande’s current suitors with Tottenham Hotspur revealed he first identified the midfielder during his time in west London, relying largely on video clips and highlights rather than live viewing.
However, watching Diomande face Germany in the tournament group stage provided a fuller picture. “Now what he can do is stored in the hard disk in my head,” the manager said. “As a coach, that is always how you prefer to remember players.”
Fresh faces from the Ivory Coast
The same match also highlighted another Ivorian talent previously unknown to the observer. Christ Inao Oulai, a 20-year-old midfielder who joined Turkish side Trabzonspor in August 2025, caught the eye despite his team’s defeat.
The manager praised Oulai’s mobility and technical strength, noting his ability to turn and play forward. “You only get this kind of full impression of a player from seeing him with your own eyes,” he added.
Midfield excellence and Messi’s farewell
Among established stars, Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha earned particular praise. The Portugal international, 26, was described as “the most unique” midfielder in his position and “phenomenal” after the manager faced him twice while coaching Tottenham.
Vitinha’s performance in the Champions League encounter in Paris, where he scored two goals from outside the penalty area, left a lasting impression. The manager suggested he would currently choose the Portuguese ahead of Barcelona’s Pedri when building a team.
Separately, the manager confirmed plans to watch Argentina’s Lionel Messi face Austria on Monday, bringing his 22-year-old son who has grown up watching the 38-year-old forward. He acknowledged that while Messi remains “the greatest of all time,” practical recruitment decisions must account for the veteran’s age.