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MU Shorts Yan Diomande: A record fee, huge expectations and an early battle for minutes at Real Madrid Yan Diomande arrived at Real Madrid this summer with a record-breaking price tag and the expectations that come with it. Two games into the 2026/27 La Liga season, though, the €125 million signing is still waiting for his first real moment in the spotlight. Real Madrid have started strongly, and the usual names have taken over the headlines. As such, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham have driven the early conversation around the club, while Mourinho’s new-look side has shown enough attacking fluency to give the manager little reason to force changes. That has left Diomande in an unfamiliar position, with Real Madrid’s most expensive signing playing just over 30 minutes across the opening two league matches. For a 19-year-old signed from Leipzig, the lack of immediate prominence should not necessarily be mistaken for a lack of belief. But given the price tag attached to his name, questions are being raised. Guler’s emergence has complicated the picture Diomande’s biggest obstacle is not just the competition created by Vinicius or the presence of Mbappe and Bellingham. Arda Guler’s new role under Jose Mourinho has also changed the balance of Real Madrid’s attack. Mourinho has used a 4-2-3-1 in the first two competitive matches, with Guler beginning from the right before moving into central areas when Madrid have the ball. The tactical adjustment has given the Turkish international a more prominent role and, in turn, reduced the immediate need for another natural winger. Diomande was introduced against Espanyol when the score stood at 1-1, offering Mourinho an attacking option during a competitive second half. His appearance against Real Sociedad was shorter still. With Madrid already in control, the Ivorian replaced Vinicius in the 84th minute. Those cameos have offered only glimpses of what the Real Madrid hierarchy paid so heavily to acquire. A record transfer fee does not buy a place The Yan Diomande transfer was one of the defining moves of Real Madrid’s summer. At €125 million, with the potential of rising to €140 million, the club made a statement about how highly they rate the teenager. Yet Mourinho has shown no sign of selecting players according to their transfer fee. With Real Madrid winning and their attacking structure functioning, the Portuguese coach has understandably placed trust in the players who have started the season well. Vinicius remains a decisive presence, while Guler’s ability to operate from the right and drift into midfield has given Mourinho another tactical solution. That is the reality Diomande must understand. He is not arriving at a struggling side crying out for reinvention. Rather, he is trying to break into one of the deepest and most talented attacks in European football. Indeed, the coming weeks should offer more opportunities, as the fixture list will become heavier and rotation will be required, but that still does not guarantee anything. What now for Diomande? There is a temptation to judge a €125 million signing, particularly when the player has been limited to a handful of minutes. But Diomande’s first weeks at Real Madrid may say more about the competition around him than his standing within the club. At 19, he has time on his side. What he needs now is the right opportunity. Mourinho’s selection against Espanyol and Real Sociedad suggests that Diomande is still being introduced gradually, rather than being handed responsibility because of the size of his transfer. That approach could frustrate fans expecting an immediate impact, but it also shows the reality of Real Madrid’s current attacking strength. The first opening may come through rotation. When it does, the focus will shift from the size of the Yan Diomande transfer fee to a more important question: can Real Madrid’s record signing make himself impossible to leave out? Matches Bellingham, Cucurella start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Real Sociedad Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu tonight as they host Real Sociedad in their postponed Matchday 1 fixture, with Jose Mourinho looking to make it two La Liga wins from two. Madrid opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Espanyol, where Jude Bellingham scored before summer signing Carlos Espi grabbed a dramatic late winner. Mourinho will now take charge of his first competitive game at the Bernabeu since returning to the club. The manager still has several absentees to contend with. Aurelien Tchouameni and Endrick remain unavailable after continuing to train away from the group, while Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch are also out. Mourinho has nevertheless named a strong 23-man squad, with Eduardo Camavinga available and youngsters Jorge Cestero, Alexis Ciria and Mario Rivas included. With Madrid having played just four days ago, some changes could be on the cards against Real Sociedad, and here is how Mourinho can set his team up. Defence There should be no debate in goal, with Thibaut Courtois continuing as Mourinho’s first choice ahead of Andriy Lunin. The latter is expected to be limited to minutes in the Copa del Rey. Denzel Dumfries should retain his place at right-back after starting against Espanyol. The Dutchman provides the physicality and attacking thrust Mourinho values. Should Jose decide to make a change, though, Trent Alexander-Arnold remains another high-level option. One possible alteration could come on the opposite flank, as Marc Cucurella could make his Madrid debut from the bench against Espanyol. After building up his fitness, he could now be handed his first start at the club at the Bernabeu, shortly after being felicitated for the World Cup win. At centre-back, Dean Huijsen should continue, while Ibrahima Konate also retains his place ahead of Antonio Rudiger. Midfield Tchouameni’s continued absence means Jose must once again find the right balance without his natural defensive midfielder. Bernardo Silva should continue in the deeper role after starting against Espanyol. His ability to dictate possession could be particularly important against Sociedad. Club captain Federico Valverde is the obvious choice alongside him, providing the legs, intensity and defensive coverage needed to compensate for Bernardo’s playmaking profile. Further forward, Jude Bellingham is nailed on to keep his place as the No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 and will hope to add to his goal tally against the Basque club. Attack Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead the line once again. Even with Espi pushing his case after scoring the winner last weekend, displacing the French superstar from the starting striker role remains extremely difficult. On the left, Vinicius Junior should retain his place and will be hoping for a more decisive performance after an eventful outing against Espanyol. He made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the game against the Catalan club and will hope for his game to do the talking this time around. The biggest question comes on the right flank. Arda Guler started the league opener and had an excellent game, but Mourinho could change things up here. Yan Diomande was officially presented at Madrid yesterday and could be in line for his first competitive start at his new club. Mourinho has plenty of attacking options from the bench if required, with Espi, Brahim and Guler all capable of changing the game.