Yan Diomande Puts the BMV at Risk
The white team's last month has given us plenty to talk about. The side has gone through a mini-revolution from which players such as Diomande, Bernardo Silva or Guler have come out on top, while others such as Dumfries or Vinicius have had the opposite experience. The question is: is it too early to start thinking about the birth of the BMD?
Real Madrid C.F.
The return of Vinicius Jr is the only unresolved issue left on Mourinho's desk. If, years ago, we had been told that including the Brazilian in the starting XI could be a problem, we would not have believed it. But today, his place in the side is a matter of state, and above all a headache for the Portuguese coach. Real Madrid are a picture of calm and have left sporting and internal rows behind. They are delivering and convincing on and off the pitch. Jose Mourinho and his staff have sorted out every setback and have managed to keep both the regulars and the non-starters switched on and committed. After years, they are a team again. One in which everyone fights, gives everything and digs deep with pride when needed.
Singled out above all others
Vinícius Júnior15.030.000€+970.000€-
DLWhat is curious is that all this has coincided with the weeks in which Vinicius has not been part of the squad in LaLiga because of his suspension. Logically, that is not the only reason, but it is the one that resonates most. The derby and Roma were the turning point. The "7" was involved in both and was unable to create danger. In both, there came the warning - now a recurring one - from Mou to Vinicius: a lapse from the Brazilian leading to a turnover in a dangerous area, and a goal for the opposition. In the picture, a Vini who does not even try to make amends for his mistake.
We have already said in this outlet that Real Madrid are genuinely concerned about his situation and will try to get him back on track mentally first, and then on the pitch. The dilemma is: to try, do you have to and can you afford to give up what is getting you results? What seems clear is that another year without trophies is unacceptable for the Madrid club.
Past vs present
Diomande21.240.000€+400.000€9
DLYan Diomande is a much better footballer on the left flank and has shown a chemistry with Mbappe and Bellingham that, with Vini, we have only seen on a handful of occasions in almost three seasons. The Ivorian's progression seems limitless, and the price of finding out is high. Vinicius renewed two months ago until 2032 and is on the second salary tier - only behind Mbappe-. Any doubts from outside about whether he should continue wearing white or not were dispelled by Real Madrid with a stratospheric contract, but Diomande is also a major club bet; the biggest for a long time and the most expensive in Madrid's history. What's more, we know what Vinicius is capable of, but not what Diomande is capable of.
One alternative is to play the man from Rio de Janeiro on the left and Diomande on the right, but that would mean dropping Guler or Bernardo Silva. That seems unlikely given how important the two players are to the team's vision and creativity. They are the two most talented players and if Mourinho continues to embrace meritocracy, they must remain central figures.
In Greece against AEK, the huge shortcomings the team has without them were laid bare. The main issue was the difficulty of moving the ball with any real purpose. What tipped the balance in the whites' favour was the individual quality that one of the best squads in the world possesses, but against the big sides that is not enough. In the biggest games, much more is needed. Modern football depends more than ever on the collective. And, as is often the case, it lives in the present. Vinicius touched the sky and won over Madridistas. Diomande is exciting, performing and piling up praise and good numbers - 4 goals and 4 assists -. All of it, in the present.
The big dilemma
Mbappé22.000.000€+1.030.000€14
DL
Bellingham18.580.000€11
MDThe issue goes further. When the Mbappe saga ended and he arrived in the capital, it seemed the team's golden era was about to sweep through every stadium in Spain and Europe, but nothing of the sort. The Frenchman, Bellingham to a lesser extent and Vinicius, tend to bunch together on the left wing and occupy similar areas of attack. That is how Bellingham himself put it in comments to DAZN.
Maybe we bunch together too much on the left; if I go down the other side, maybe we have more balance. Maybe people are seeing the glass half empty.
With Yan, everything has been much smoother and, so far, more successful. His adaptation has been immediate, as has his connection with both of them. Many outlets have debated whether they make each other better or the opposite; a debate that seemed pointless but is inevitably spreading. And Marc Cucurella is another player who, at least from the outside, looks more comfortable when he shares the left flank with him. He gets more cover and has more freedom to join the attack, one of his main strengths.
The narrative and the data are there. The decision is in the hands of one man. And the grass and time will do the talking. For Real Madrid's aims, it would be good to see the Vinicius who came close to winning the Ballon d'Or. For the football world, too.
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