Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande says he is focused on his own development rather than living up to comparisons with Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise or countryman Gervinho, according to ESPN. Diomande, who succeeded Olise as the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year, will face Olise on Thursday when Ivory Coast meet France in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Speaking to ESPN via New Balance, Diomande acknowledged respect for Olise but said he is not trying to copy any single player. He told reporters he watches top players such as Harry Kane and Luis Díaz and learns from a range of performers, rather than modelling himself on one team-mate or rival, according to ESPN.
The 2006-born forward had a hand in 20 goals across 33 Bundesliga appearances this season as RB Leipzig finished third. Diomande became the fourth African player to win the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Year award, following Amine Harit, Silas and Victor Boniface, a distinction noted in the ESPN report. Olise, last year’s recipient, went on to be named the division’s Player of the Year after a title-winning campaign with Bayern Munich.
Born in Abidjan, Diomande moved to the United States as a youngster and graduated from the Florida-based DME Academy before joining Spanish side Leganes in 2025, according to ESPN. He made 10 appearances for Leganes last season prior to starring for Leipzig this term. Diomande credits his faith with helping his rise, urging hard work, self-belief and trust in God as guiding principles.
Ivory Coast will make their first World Cup appearance since 2014, and Thursday’s friendly at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes is the Elephants’ final tune-up before flying to their World Cup base in Philadelphia. Diomande said the squad is in good spirits and ready for the competition, while stressing that team performance remains his primary focus, according to ESPN.
