'I was told I had to play for Chelsea – I was faced with a choice and made the right call'

This attacker has become one of European football's hottest properties and admits he could have joined Chelsea before making his choice

RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande turned down the chance to move to Chelsea earlier in his career. The 19-year-old is now setting the Bundesliga ablaze and has been linked with a big summer transfer.

Born in the Ivory Coast, Diomande moved to the United States at a young age. In 2024, he agreed to join Spanish side Leganes and soon caught the eye. Leipzig shelled out £17.5million for his signature just last year and since then he has come on leaps and bounds.

Diomande has nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season and transfer talk has been rife. In the January window, speculation suggested Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have their sights on the wonderkid, who is reported to be valued at roughly £90m.

But Diomande has now revealed that before he headed to Spain, he could have signed with Chelsea instead. The teenager shed light on why he snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge.

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"It was a difficult time," Diomande told BILD. "I felt like for many people, it was all about money. A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea.

"Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes. He had helped with my move to the USA. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea?

"It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football. It's not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I'm young. I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn't get that on the bench."

Now, almost two years on from making this call, Diomande is in demand. A range of reports indicate that many top European clubs will be interested in him this summer. Liverpool are one of those rumoured teams and Diomande addressed such speculation. He said: "People made it [Liverpool] out to be my dream club.

"But first and foremost, it's my dad's favourite club. It was always his great wish to see me there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn't even have a TV at home for a long time. I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig."

Bayern Munich are another team supposedly in the running. Diomande added: "I haven't spoken to anyone from Bayern. It's not the right time for that. I'm happy here in Leipzig and want to remain fully focused.

"There are always many people involved in a transfer – clubs, agents, family, players. So, I don't make these decisions alone. One thing I can promise: I'll never argue with my club! Of course, I probably won't end my career here. When the time comes, we'll talk. But if I stay here this summer, I'll be absolutely happy."

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