According to AS, Jose Mourinho has said that Ousmane Diomande needs to be given time to adapt, and due to suspensions and injuries within the squad, he could make his first start when they face Inter Milan in midweek.

One month after joining the club, Diomande has made just 83 minutes of appearances, accounting for 23% of the team's total playing time. He has yet to start a match and has not played more than 30 minutes in a single game. In the last four league matches, Arda Guler has started three times and Brahim Diaz once, while Diomande has only featured as a substitute.

Mourinho said: “There is no need to rush him. He has to take things step by step. He trains very well, works extremely hard, and is a cheerful, humble kid who is willing to learn and put in the effort. He will develop. We cannot just focus on his transfer fee; we need to look at the young player with huge potential that he is.”

Mourinho also pointed out that Diomande had already enjoyed a high-level season in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, but he is still young and somewhat naive, meaning he needs to adapt gradually.

Against Inter Milan in midweek, Guler and Bernardo Silva will be suspended, while Eduardo Camavinga is also unavailable. Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago are still recovering from their respective injuries, while Federico Valverde is unable to fill in on the wing. As a result, Brahim Diaz and Diomande could compete for the position.