Season › 2019-20 › News Bolasie hasn't given up on reclaiming Everton spot Tuesday, 30 June, 2020 40comments | Jump to most recent Yannick Bolasie has been writing on social media about his experiences through the Covid-19 lockdown, how it has affected his loan spell with Sporting CP, and his frustration over not being able to train properly back at Finch Farm. The Congolese winger has been on the fringes of the first-team picture at Everton after recovering from potentially career-ending injuries to his knee sustained in 2017. A ruptured cruciate knee ligament and torn meniscus entailed over a year of rehabilitation, after which he struggled to rediscover the form that had persuaded then manager, Ronald Koeman, and director of football, Steve Walsh, to shell out £28m to Crystal Palace for his signature the year before. Loan spells at Aston Villa and Anderlecht were lined up and he spent much of this season at Sporting but his spell in Portugal was terminated early when the pandemic took hold in Europe. "Football-wise it's been a roller coaster as we had four managers in seven months which for any team can't be helpful as that's different philosophies/different lineups," Bolasie said of the situation at Everton, "but I still feel me and the boys rose to the challenge and kept fighting on all fronts. "All I want everyone in Sporting CP to know is I gave you 100% in every game I played in. I wore that iconic green-and-white shirt with pride and made great friends/brothers that will be with me for life. "People have been asking me why I haven't been training etc... I don't like ignoring those questions, especially from fans who support me and the team. "I use my socials as a way to interact with the fans and love doing it but I wanted to wait until the 30th when my contract was finished with Sporting CP to then speak about Everton. "I am currently ineligible to play this current season and right now, with the regulations the way they are, only a certain allocated number of staff/players are permitted onto the training ground who are involved on match days. Article continues below video content "It's been very hard not being able to train the way I want but in these times we are all having to adjust to things we don't find normal. "All I can say is I'm working extremely hard behind the scenes to maintain my levels so, when I do get allowed back to train with the boys, I'm super ready to show the management and support staff that I'm back to being the player I was pre-injury. I've had two seasons of solid football where now I'm feeling how I should be. "I can't wait to put on that Blues shirt again." Reader Comments (40) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Paul Swan 1 Posted 30/06/2020 at 17:31:48 Trouble is the player he was ‘pre-injury' was crap as well James Flynn 2 Posted 30/06/2020 at 17:51:41 He was never crap. Never.Like Walcott, he's an athletic pro who gives his all, but just isn't that great a footballer.But never crap. Brian Williams 3 Posted 30/06/2020 at 17:57:27 He was pretty crap for us overall. Tony Everan 4 Posted 30/06/2020 at 18:34:27 Someone will take a chance on him, but with the wages he is on and like Schneiderlin, I doubt we'll see much of a fee.Better that he moves on though, for him and us. Mike Gaynes 5 Posted 30/06/2020 at 18:41:49 No, Brian, he wasn't crap. As James says, not a top-quality footballer, but most definitely not crap. Minik Hansen 6 Posted 30/06/2020 at 18:51:08 Unlike other fringe players, Bolasie got a bit more games under his belt, in a ok league (atleast the upper half). It could've been worse. Justin Doone 7 Posted 30/06/2020 at 19:01:04 Like Walcott his big strength is pace, only he has extra height and strength but more erratic play. He'd do well for a team setup to play counter attacking football when he doesn't have to think or make deft passes and link play.I don't know if he's still as explosive post injury but he's not going to be any better a player.I cant see him or us with him being successful so it's a thanks and all the best. The injury did sadly ruin his Everton career but I'm sure he'll pick up another club. James Flynn 8 Posted 30/06/2020 at 19:04:15 Mirallas had one year left at 75K per (THAT contract was a head-scratcher). Left on a "Free". Maybe tell Bolasie to find a club and do the same thing.Wonder what the Club will do about Walcott regarding next season? Tony Hill 9 Posted 30/06/2020 at 19:28:25 Two happy memories of him: sailing past Glen Johnson in that inspirational 3-3 draw, Palace v RS; his opening role in the lovely Sigurdsson equaliser v RS.Less happy memory: causing utter havoc against us for Palace in that murderous 2-3.No, not crap at all, when it clicked for him. Drew O'Neall 10 Posted 30/06/2020 at 19:37:28 Always gave a lot for us I thought and Lukaku seemed to get the most benefit from him being in the side - I remember him flying into a back heeled tackle to hook the ball to the Belgian to lay him on with no regard for injury and that was the way he played the game. As James said, he is an athletic and dynamic player however I don't consider him to be ‘like Walcott' in that sense because he is a player with ludicrous flair and Walcott is somewhat one dimensional as a pure pace merchant. He can however be enigmatic, like Walcott.I've been his number one defender on here. He seems like a good lad. He did lots for EitC and he seems to me to be a good professional, which is rare for an enigmatic, flair player.I'd be happy to see him return, especially if he played his best football (the kind he played for Palace against us!) but equally we are probably looking for a better, younger option in his position now and every indication is he is surplus to requirements so he'll leave with my thanks and best wishes. Stephen Brown 11 Posted 30/06/2020 at 20:06:06 Shame he can't go on the bench this season ?! Better than having 2 keepers on the bench!? Stupid rule that he can't play or train despite paying him probably 80k a week! Steve Ferns 12 Posted 30/06/2020 at 20:51:34 I like Bolasie. Anyone who's met him or at least watched him talking, cannot help but like him. He's a fun guy and very friendly.He has been doing a lot on social media, interacting with the kids. He even posted a bike ride to Goodison Park.As for his footballing abilities, he's one of them who seems like he'd be great. He has a great touch and great technique. He loves a trick or two and gets in a good number of crosses. He also works hard and tracks back. He just doesn't link up with others as well as he might.I've seen a bit of Sporting this season, but not as much as previous seasons. He seems to have shaken the bad injury off. But, the reality is he was probably never good enough for us before the injury.I hope he can get back to his best, and you never know, Carlo might save us a few bob and find a way to get him to be effective for us. Andrew Hight 13 Posted 30/06/2020 at 20:56:29 Spectacular waste of money. A truly terrible signing. Had my head in my hands when it was originally announced and from there on in when he got a game. Kieran Kinsella 14 Posted 30/06/2020 at 22:42:55 Funny how a price tag changes perceptions. Everyone loved Stracqualursi for his efforts despite his limitations. Bolasie is as committed and a better player but slated because we decided to pay over the odds for him. Andrew Hight 15 Posted 30/06/2020 at 22:52:50 A very fair and well made point Kieran. Bolasie represented to me the utter stupidity of our transfer policy. He is not alone nor singled out for criticism. He was for me however still a terrible signing. A wasted opportunity to invest correctly at a juncture where we could of competed. Steve Ferns 16 Posted 30/06/2020 at 22:54:16 Kieran, what about Tom Davies? Much better than Bolasie and Straq. He also cost nothing and is one of the lowest earners in the first team. He gives 100% every game. He plays out of position (right back anyone?). He does what ever is asked with a smile on his face and is often the only childhood blue on the pitch.Yet, the stick he gets is unbelievable. It's worse than Hibbert and Osman. Again, they always gave 100%. They went above and beyond and never hid either. They weren't ever the best paid players at the club. The stick they received was unwarranted.Why are Everton fans always so hard on the local lads? Bill Gienapp 17 Posted 30/06/2020 at 23:02:23 Definitely not crap. He may not have lived up to his price tag, but he was a solid contributor before he got hurt. Dan Sanderson 18 Posted 30/06/2020 at 23:09:18 What an idiot Rob Young 19 Posted 30/06/2020 at 23:30:39 Steve, maybe Tom Davies gets a lot of stick because most of the time he doesn't tackle, doesn't pass to a teammate and can't keep possession of the ball?Do local lads get more stick? Yes, I tend to agree. That does not make Tom Davies a good player however. Mike Gaynes 20 Posted 30/06/2020 at 23:50:44 Steve #12, agree except that while he puts in a good number of crosses, nobody has any idea where they are going. If there is one part of his game that is crap, it's the technique on his crosses.I would also argue that he took as much unfair abuse here as anybody in the side at that time, except for the most unfairly abused of all -- Lukaku. Mark Andersson 21 Posted 01/07/2020 at 00:48:40 Reading Toffees' views is like being married to the woman who is never satisfied.She wants this so you give it to her... she finds fault. You decorate the living room exactly as she has wanted it she loves it, but then says, "We need the kitchen done now."Anyway, great reading the many views: always a head scratch, always a laugh, sometimes insightful I know sweet FA about football but I do know that you attract what you fear and a positive attitude transmits positive outcomes.If we could collectively and constantly be more positive towards our players, then I'm damn sure we would achieve a lot more on the pitch.Stay safe and be a Happy Blues... Danny Broderick 22 Posted 01/07/2020 at 01:25:56 The trouble with Bolasie is he goes from the sublime to the ridiculous in the same game. You never know what you are going to get from him.I remember his performance at Goodison in the 0-0 we got under Allardyce against Liverpool. At one point, he cut in from the left flank, beat a few men and belted a shot towards the top corner that Karius somehow kept out. It was an outstanding bit of play. The rest of the game he was shite, though. At one point, one of our centre mids squared it to him by the Bullens Road. He tried to control the ball and it went under his foot and out for a throw to Liverpool. I was pulling my hair out. He's too hot and miss. He'll never be what we need. Gavin Johnson 23 Posted 01/07/2020 at 01:43:55 Wasn't the story that one of the main reasons we signed him was at the request Rom, cos they were best buddies?! It's mind boggling that we didn't sign Zaha instead of him. If there was ever an example of a MotD player it would be Bolasie: Can do the crazy ball tricks to flatter, but totally deceiving with end product.Maybe he'd have been better if he hadn't had the injury, but he was never good enough for a team meant be challenging for Champions league places. I suspect he'll go back to Crystal Palace for the paltry ٢m we're asking as he's still held in positive regard by most of their supporters. Alan J Thompson 24 Posted 01/07/2020 at 05:44:49 The wage bill needs reducing and you would think that players who have been out on loan might be the first to be considered to be moved out. However, if he hasn't been, then it is Mr Ancelotti's opinion that will determine his. and others in the same situation, future at Everton and I've no doubt it will be a fair assessment from an impressively fair-minded, intelligent and experienced Manager. Robert Tressell 25 Posted 01/07/2020 at 07:54:05 Whilst not great, he offers some pace and penetration down the left flank. Could have used him in the dreadful bore - fest against Norwich for example. Dan Nulty 26 Posted 01/07/2020 at 08:03:36 Rob Young @19 completely agree.Agree with most of the rest, he looked decent in a Palace side that was set up for counter attack and he had more space due to Zaha being on the other side and often double marked. We paid over the odds and sadly the injury prevented us from seeing if he was any good. Hopefully be able to move him on and get a token fee back.By the way, did anyone see Luke Garbutt on Twitter. Made me piss myself. He shared the video of Carlo being asked about Luke Garbutt being released and his response was 'who?' James Stewart 27 Posted 01/07/2020 at 09:03:42 Our current wing options, Sidibe (a wingback and injured), Walcott (injured), Bernard (does nothing often) and Iwobi - not a natural winger. Gordon not a winger either. Bolasie would be very welcome if available and it's a complete nonsense he's not. Like him or not, he is more effective than what we have. The fact that martina and niasse were still on the bench last game goes to show how dreadful Carlo's options are. Fran Mitchell 28 Posted 01/07/2020 at 09:11:26 Anyone who had watched Bolasie in a game, and not just MOTD, knew what he was.He was maddeningly inconsistent, and his stats were always poor.But there was an idea, a reason we wanted him.Koeman wanted him for his pace, the thinking being that having someone with his pace would free space for Lukaku and Barkley, allowing us to break quickly. There was also the factor that Lukaku and He were good friends.It failed, like much of Koeman's strategy. It is also made all the more maddening when we signed Bolasie for 28 million, when the same summer Liverpool signed Mané from Southampton for a similar fee. Haha was also available for a similar fee.Just one of many examples of woeful judgement in the transfer market since Moshiri came on board that has seen us get worse and worse with every transfer window. Kenny Smith 29 Posted 01/07/2020 at 09:20:05 Think we're all agreed he's no Ronaldo but he's better than any option we have out wide at the minute and despite his horrible injury is still probably quicker than everyone else bar Walcott. I've always thought we should of kept him in the squad. No he's not worth what we paid but we have squad full of players like that. I'd put him in the match day squad for the rest of the season because he offers that outlet which I still don't think we have. Brian Williams 30 Posted 01/07/2020 at 10:24:16 Kenny. He can't play for us this season mate. Kenny Smith 31 Posted 01/07/2020 at 12:58:29 Cheers, Brian. I should of read the whole piece. Pat Kelly 32 Posted 01/07/2020 at 14:14:32 Just as well he can't play at present. There's not enough people to retrieve the ball from row Z. Pat Waine 33 Posted 01/07/2020 at 16:33:36 He was an average player at best. He was another big buy from Koeman (who wrecked Everton). Bolaise was never worth what Everton paid for him. Kieran Kinsella 34 Posted 01/07/2020 at 21:23:37 Steve,I see your point but, to be pedantic, I wouldn't say Davies is "better" than Bolasie. Both have their qualities, both have their headless chicken spells.The worst aspect of Hibbert and Osman was their departure. Nobody ever said "thanks for your service but time's up." It was just let the contract run down then see the released list in the paper. Moyes in the same scenario had his big send-off. Howard had his little swansong game too. That was very poor. Nicholas Ryan 35 Posted 01/07/2020 at 21:54:19 Gavin [23] '... we didn't sign Zaha instead of him.' I've a dreadful suspicion that the management thought they HAD signed Zaha and got the shock of their lives when Bolasie showed up!! Peter Gorman 36 Posted 02/07/2020 at 09:15:01 Gavin - I doubt Bolasie and Lukaku had even met before they arrived at Everton. Derek Thomas 37 Posted 02/07/2020 at 10:28:31 Peter @ 36; Koeman himself said it after Lukaku had been sold... gist – we did everything to keep him, we even signed Bolasie as a sweetener to keep him one more season. Paul Jones 38 Posted 02/07/2020 at 20:32:14 Another terrible Everton signing by a Director of football. Gueye and Richarlison probably the only good/profitable buys that have been made in recent years. Sukhdev Sohal 39 Posted 02/07/2020 at 23:17:33 I would take Bolasie over Iwobi any day of the week. Imagine the story. Bolasie comes back in for the goal and tears up the pl once again. I can dream😊 Sukhdev Sohal 40 Posted 02/07/2020 at 23:27:11 Paul- Gomes, Mina, Digne, Bernard. Iwobi is an atrocious player and would be a bad signing even for half the money we paid for him. We also bought Delph for 3 times as much as we sold McCarthy for who is comfortably a better player Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads