His fate undoubtedly went in the right direction during these six fateful days. On 2 October, for his second game as Reims’ number 1 goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf committed a foot error which cost his team a goal at Troyes (2-2), his training team. Then, on 8 October, he managed a sensational performance against PSG (0-0), the start of a run of six fine performances (D4, W2), with four clean sheets and only two goals conceded.
During these six days that seemed like fifteen to him, the 23-year-old goalkeeper (re)built: “ It was very difficult at the time, but the support of my teammates, especially the captain, Yunis (Abdel Hamid), right later, then during the week in training, it was very important. The first night I barely slept ! »
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But he ended up having a good bet. Like a few weeks earlier, at the end of August, when his loan, foreseen by mutual agreement with the Stade de Reims, had not materialised. “My first child, a boy, was born on September 1, which allowed me not to brood”trust.
Then he knew how to seize the opportunity, as thought Bernard Diomède, his coach from the French under 18 to under 20 (19 appearances from March 2017 to November 2019). ” to be able “. Thanks to “Great Potential” of the one who from childhood is nicknamed the “cat”, “able to carry the balls to the skylight with elegance, very complete and dexterous with both feet”according to the profile established by the 1998 world champion.
Mike Maignan, his example to follow
By the same admission of the native of Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), another man plays a key role in its explosion: Nicolas Penneteau (41 years old). ” When we signed him as our third goalkeeper in the summer of 2021, Yehvann was told it was mostly for him. And “Nico” transmits the culture of the high level to him on a daily basis », confirms Mathieu Lacour, general manager of Champagne.
Lucid, Diouf is aware that he has to look « not wanting to do too well at kick raises » and still has it « a margin of progression in the aerial game ». But with models « “Gigi” Buffon, Manuel Neuer and above all Mike Maignan, an example for his qualities as in the management of his career”has clearly defined its main area for improvement: “ the leadership ».
Much appreciated for his great kindness, he knows he has to force his nature, after being the replacement for Predrag Rajkovic, then for the disappointing Patrick Pentz, recruited last summer: « I am often withdrawn. However, a goalkeeper has to unleash something special, even if it sometimes means yelling at his defenders. I have a long way to go on that front. » However, Lacour believes: « It asserts itself more and more. She’s not afraid. Now, the path he has to take is that of regularity for an entire season… »
Reims seems ready to offer him enough visibility to achieve this goal: he has only a few games left to play for the automatic renewal of his one-year contract, until 2025.
