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Bolasie signs in at Everton
Everton have announced their fourth signing of the summer after a 5-year deal worth a reported £22.5m was completed for Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie.
The two clubs had come to agreement over a fee for Bolasie a little under a week ago but Palace didn't give the DR Congo international permission to undergo a medical until yesterday.
He made one last substitute's appearance for the London side against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday before his physical examination with Everton was completed yesterday. The completion of his transfer means that he could face the same opposition on Saturday when the Blues travel to the Hawthorns.
Though the fee is officially undisclosed, various reports suggest that once appearance-related clauses are taken into account, Bolasie could eventually equal Everton's most expensive ever signing, matching the £28m paid to Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
The 27-year-old's move from Selhurst Park brings to an end a four-year spell with Palace, during which time he has emerged as one of the most feared wingers in the Premier League on his day. He will wear the No. 14 jersey last worn by Steven Naismith and Oumar Niasse.
Manager Ronald expressed his satisfaction at the signing, one which he tried to get done when he was at Southampton.
“Yannick is a player who has been a long time on my radar because he's the type of winger I like — fast, strong and he can play different positions in the forward line. He's a really good signing for the club," Koeman said.
“At 27, he's a good age and he has experience in the Premier League. He will give strength to the team and I'm very pleased to have Yannick as part of what we are trying to build here at Everton.”
Bolasie wrapped up a deal worth an initial £22.5m by signing a five-year deal with Everton. [Everton FC]
Though born in Lyon, France, Bolasie's career has, with the exception of a year in Malta with Floriana, been spent in England after he joined Rushden & Diamonds' youth setup at the age of 16.
He returned from his Maltese adventure when he was offered a trial by Plymouth Argyle where he spent three seasons before joining Barnet on loan for the 2009-10 season. He returned to Plymouth after scoring five goals in 42 games for the London side before Bristol City snapped him up on a two-year deal in 2011.
While he would be named that club's Young Player of the Year, Bolasie handed in a transfer request at the end of his first season because he wanted to return to London and he got his wish when Palace picked him up for an undisclosed fee.
His performances there were enough to earn him an international call-up to the Congolese national side, although he initially turned down the chance to represent them in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations because he wanted to concentrate on his club form.
While noted for his tendency to be inconsistent, he also came to be regarded as one of the Premier League's most technically gifted players, attributes that when combined with his pace and power make him a feared opponent.
A reported target of Tottenham Hotspur last year, it seemed unlikely that Bolasie would move outside of the southeast given his love for London but a fresh opportunity at Everton beckons where Koeman will now look to harness his abilities so that he can deliver on a consistent basis in his new team.
Reader Comments (122)
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2 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:17:00
Welcome Mr Bolasie to EFC, the greatest team the world has ever seen!
Coleman will sleep a lot better now!
3 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:21:21
4 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:34:20
What I find interesting is when he says 'he can play in different positions in the forward line'. This idea of players having more than one position seems to be more and more common, and is considered a requirement by Klopp and Pochettino.
Considering how Koeman has put McCarthy and Davies as wing backs, Deulofeu and Mirallas in the middle and let's see what he does with Barkley and a few others, this appears to be something in Koeman's thinking as well. This flexibility seems an important issue in teams that aim to implement a pressing style, as well as the need to run, run and run for the whole game.
Here, Bolasie definitely fits with Koeman's desired style. I just hope he improves his final ball.
5 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:35:26
6 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:37:55
Stekelenburg, Gana, Williams and now Bolasie coupled with our display against Spurs with a depleted side and we have many reasons to be cheerful and look forward to this season.
Now for a striker
7 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:38:15
8 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:40:06
9 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:40:23
Squad getting stronger by the day.
Cant wait to see who else jumps on board!
10 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:41:55
11 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:42:18
12 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:42:42
13 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:44:21
With Martinez, it was like leaving your teenage kids in charge of the house while you go on holiday, wondering whether the place would be wrecked or burnt to the ground on your return home.
14 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:53:13
15 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:53:47
16 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:53:55
One of those players who will probably have one great game in three, but if that helps us improve in the long term, he'll prove to be good value. I would say he's an upgrade on Deulofeu & Mirallas on their current form & consistency levels.
17 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:53:56
Hart/Butland
Kone
Ziyech
Bony
And I'll be very very happy with this transfer window!
18 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:55:02
19 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:55:57
Looks like we're assembling a good squad that are intent on playing the type of football we blues like to watch. Things are looking up – can't wait.
20 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:57:21
21 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:59:20
Wonder if this is the start of a trend of wingers/attacking mids becoming forwards in an interchangeable forward line rather than a striker as the focal point? Liverpool did it against Arsenal, Aguero was playing on the right wing at times against Sunderland swapping with Sterling. Redmond for Southampton also played in a central position at times. Maybe the success of Griezmann at Atletico last season has started it all?
22 Posted 15/08/2016 at 14:59:44
Ziyech looks really good – even though it's all in a lesser league. I would love to see him down the right channel.
23 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:02:30
Striker next please, Mr Koeman!
24 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:02:40
When we sign them ...
Come on Koeman, just the front (striker) and the back (goalkeeper) to sort out now, you've got the middle sorted
25 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:03:40
26 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:05:09
27 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:07:09
Gana, Williams, Stek and the upfront amount for Bolasie fit within that amount.
Whilst the departure of Stones hurt, trading him for 2 players who did really well on Saturday and another 2 who, on paper at least, are good additions considerably softens the blow.
Hope we get a few more in, using the considerable kitty which is hopefully still at Ron/Walsh's disposal.
Still not enamoured by the links to Hart as I think he is low on confidence. Also a little nervous on Ziyech, Ghezzal and Abdennour. Yes their Youtube clips and stats look great but the EPL has made a habit of making good players from other leagues look ordinary. In this transition phase, tried and tested talent such as the 4 we bought in so far is the best for me. On that basis I still vote for Kone and Bony.
Perhaps next season, with a settled squad, we can afford to bring in good but untried talent.
28 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:08:42
Delighted to have got Bolasie, I hope RK can make more of a finished article out of him, and to be honest he's a lot better than the majority of our midfielders. Good stuff Blues, keep that cheque book waving!
(Did Austin and Remy ever play together at QPR? Interesting front two if Lukaku goes...)
29 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:09:10
30 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:11:47
I'd really love to see us get Slimani now or someone else as a top European striker. I'd rather we went for someone who might cost a bit more than us buying another CH which I don't think we really need now and going for a lesser striker.
Charlie Austin or Berahino would be good for striker No 3. Cleverly and Gibson will struggle to get game time this year unless we have injuries.
31 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:12:16
Hart on loan? he has a point to prove after dodgy Euros, and he is a top drawer keeper.
Kone - think this one may be dead in the water now, new contract offered and wrist slapped. Hopeful, but doubtful for me on this one
Bony - Only if we can get him cheapish, maybe another loan to buy?
Ziyech - Don't know enough about him to really judge
I think there is going to be a rabbit in the Dutchmans hat yet, a last minute cracking signing which no-one saw coming
32 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:15:01
Wait until you pull that Royal Blue Jersey on!
Wait until you hear the rattle of the snare drums as Z-Cars begins!
Wait until you score your first at "The Grand Old Lady"!
Wait until you score against "The other lot"!
Welcome to the finest club, welcome home, Yannick!
33 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:19:06
Koeman will get the best out of him.
Someone said on another thread, and I loved the comment, Harold Matthews would have given this signing two thumbs up.
34 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:23:38
OK, I like it. I'm getting a wee bit more excited as the weeks go on. Expect us to "Nick" one or two with this guy.
35 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:24:57
36 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:25:18
37 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:25:48
What I would say though is Koeman has looked at our current squad and believes it is better suited to counter attacking (assuming of course the defence is capable of handling extra pressure – he appears to be trying to sort that).
Deulofeu, Mirallas, Barkley and now Bolasie, these lads have pace and ball carrying pace at that.
Lukaku has to be one of the worst strikers I've ever seen with his back to goal, but is there many strikers better in the league than him when charging forward as part of a counter attack?
It all seems to be trying to play towards the teams/players strengths rather than Martinez idea of forcing a style of play that suited no-one.
38 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:26:09
He has very little end product to his game which is why no major club came in for him when he was available two years ago. It is also why neither England nor France secured his services at international level. We will also likely lose him for six weeks in mid-season while he risks injury playing for Congo DR.
If Bolassie is supposedly worth this much, we should be holding out for three times that for Lukaku.
39 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:28:07
The theory is that young Jonny aged 10 (for example) who was the quickest, trickiest player on the pitch aged 10 so plays best on the wing, has a growth spurt at 15 and is more suited to playing centre back won't be able to adapt if he's never been used to playing there. In my experience, we tend to fix players in certain positions early on based on physique / desire to win the Fazakerley U12s league (prioritised over development) or where a kids dad thinks he should play.
Clearly this versatility and adaptability is carried on into their senior coaching (albeit narrowed down to certain areas of the pitch).
Like he's done with Deulofeu and Mirallas, I think we'll see Bolasie switched between the wide positions and up front / number 10. It will depend on the opposition.
On McCarthy as RWB, I kind of get it as an emergency option. Might not give us much going forward but great engine and can tackle and anyone who has played that position in a 3-5-2 (I have!!) will testify you need the lungs!!!
40 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:30:18
Good times ahead, I feel, and I'm optimistic about there future for Everton. Now let's get Lukaku somewhere tied up in a dark room until the window is shut and get a new striker to put pressure on him and a playmaker behind them to pull the strings. COYBs!
41 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:32:11
42 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:32:32
He's a player that other teams will need to sit up and take notice of, and have to worry about how to deal with.
43 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:39:43
44 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:46:06
45 Posted 15/08/2016 at 15:46:10
47 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:02:56
48 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:07:42
49 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:08:13
50 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:23:12
A Number 10 and a striker next please and either a CB or GK towards the end of the window.
COYB.
51 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:39:11
Well done for mentioning Harold.
Always talked sense, greatly missed.
Never got around to buying him that matchday pint, to my eternal chagrin.
53 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:44:35
Can we now go for Islam Slimani, Javier Hernandez, Hakim Ziyech and Rachid Ghezzal?
Please
54 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:47:18
55 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:48:57
56 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:59:55
57 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:02:28
I am stoked as theoretically we still have a big transfer kitty to add real depth. We need a forward, attacking midfielder and a right back.
58 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:10:55
It would be awesome to see him and Bolasie causing severe trauma among defences. Failing Lacazatte, (who incidentally knocked in a hat-trick at the weekend!), somebody similar will do nicely!
59 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:15:18
60 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:20:43
61 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:21:14
Good luck to him and welcome...
Think most of us were expecting and are still hoping some exotic European players but we're going for EPL pros. No harm in that but it isn't overly exciting yet..
62 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:30:23
All we need now is Ziyech, Haller and Slimani and another Centre Back, I am very impressed with Stek, who was supposed to be temporary cover, but Joe Hart on loan, maybe worth consideration. I trust he will bring his own Head and Shoulders!
63 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:42:48
64 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:44:11
65 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:47:44
Also take in mind, it's Koemans first season and he needed time to adjust and figure out what he needed. Then we had to wait on Walsh to come through. Obviously I would have preferred us to have brought in these players a few weeks before the season started but we've gotten who we wanted. Or in this situation, since comments are split evenly on having him, who Koeman wanted.
There is no reason to be pessimistic. Especially after our last game. Both of Koemans signings were MoTM evenly. If that's any indication to go by then we should be in for a treat.
66 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:50:13
Thumbs up.
In terms of positional interchangeability, it's an essential part of a modern player. Supports a variety of tactical set ups on the field without making uneccessary substitutions. Its been a part of Dutch thinking since Cruyff and now more widely expected. A static set up is team that's easy to mark up, see last years drivel.
67 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:51:24
:-)
68 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:52:29
69 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:54:27
We could really do with another striker though !
70 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:58:30
Hart, Kone, Ziyech and Slimani next and we will be a real threat this season.
71 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:58:58
72 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:02:54
73 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:18:45
74 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:22:41
75 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:26:09
76 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:34:22
78 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:35:15
79 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:42:15
80 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:43:47
"The chairman Bill Kenwright is relentlessly pushing things forward with my total support for him, for [director of football] Steve Walsh and for Ronald Koeman."
Come on Mark, I think he's just emphasising that everyone is keen to add more to the squad. It's generally been a slow transfer market with things happening late. We don't have to turn everything into a blame / defend Bill debate.
83 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:50:14
84 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:00:21
We still have a lot of deadwood, the three stooges Kone, Niasse and McGeady, for example. They have absolutely no sell-on value, so we can't recoup to re-buy. Alas, we are stuck with them for the moment. In fact, I'm beginning to think that, if you left them on a beach, the tide wouldn't even take them!!
85 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:03:53
86 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:05:56
87 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:07:29
88 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:07:37
89 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:10:21
90 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:12:48
91 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:17:32
93 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:21:45
I think Ghezzal is worth a punt for the money; although thought of as a winger, he has good vision and passing and scores... why not the creative midfielder we need?
We need another striker most definitely, and we need to keep Lukaku another season at least. Hopefully Walsh can identify a good foil for him. Slimani sounds good but I'm not sure he'd sit on the bench, or that we would play two upfront.
94 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:28:17
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/11/crystal-palace-yanick-bolassie-grime-winger?CMP=share_btn_tw
COYB
95 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:30:50
As Peter Cummings our Canadian correspondent indicated ( no relation to Burton are you?) the boy will return to London once he realises he feels uncomfortable out of his comfort zone. Maybe I'll be proved wrong but I don't think I will.
Mind you anyone who can rip up the hated reds, as related earlier, is more than welcome to the fold as far as I am concerned. If he repeats the dose in a blue shirt he will have undying legendary status. Bit like another London boy, Andrew Johnson, who didn't last long up north.
96 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:33:17
Reading between the lines I would say he knows we've been slow bringing in transfers, but there is money to spend and we'll have more new additions soon.
Nothing sinister or veiled criticism at anyone. That's my opinion anyway!
97 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:34:14
98 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:37:25
Ronald obviously knows what he wants, strong skillful players with pace who work hard, this lad tracks back too !
Yan will be the Man ! very excited to have him at Everton.
99 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:52:56
100 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:53:58
101 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:54:32
102 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:58:21
We are certainly better with him in the squad than not, lets put it that way.
We still need a midfield playmaker of the highest class as a priority, with of equal importance two top strikers, one if Lukaku stays.
I'm satisfied with the two goalies we have but a third is needed in case of injuries.
103 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:17:41
104 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:27:58
105 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:44:02
106 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:47:36
Let Mata & Hart follow suit
107 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:50:34
Now we need two strikers.
108 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:50:55
109 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:54:07
110 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:55:40
111 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:00:40
112 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:01:57
114 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:03:46
"Whilst the departure of Stones hurt, trading him for 2 players who did really well on Saturday and another 2 who, on paper at least, are good additions considerably softens the blow."
Commonly known as,
The new Stadium ...
115 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:06:01
116 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:09:24
Prove it!
117 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:26:59
118 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:31:00
mean or get back to you tube "scottish pepper pig" or "cockney star trek"
Either way say what you mean or go away in short jerky movements!
Ha Ha Ha (echo receding and diminishing into the background like a good Hammer Horror with Patrick Mower and his dad Peter Cushing
I will one day control all of the Empire of ToffeeeWobe and that bloke who sounds like a newspaper called Something Daley...
Hee Hee...
Ha what a load of bollox, back to normal, we'll finish in the top 4 this year,
COYB
119 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:45:19
So it looks like Lukaku is off given he may have changed his Twitter address (if that is anything to go by?!) so we need a statement of intent to keep us from getting restless.
I cannot think of many world class strikers out there that are available that would placate us? Except to say our doe eyed chairman would love a theatrical finale so I'm going to stick my neck out there and say Rooney (Wayne not Mickey please Bill!)
120 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:59:42
121 Posted 15/08/2016 at 23:01:43
122 Posted 16/08/2016 at 01:44:43
https://www.instagram.com/p/BI29YatB9eS/?taken-by=yannickbolasie&hl=en
123 Posted 16/08/2016 at 09:46:38
"You're not fit to wear the shirt"
DELETE AS APPLICABLE
124 Posted 16/08/2016 at 11:13:55
...for our Bo lassie, Bo…
125 Posted 16/08/2016 at 11:46:33
I predict 2 more signings Possibly Ziyech and maybe a pricey striker you never know. I also fancy Abdennour coming in. Maybe get an exciting young player.
I think we should sell the players we don't need but I am happy with the team so far
COYB!
126 Posted 16/08/2016 at 15:00:20
I'd say Chelsea know it's only a matter of time before the deal happens and so when we get our replacement lined up then off he goes. It sounds to me like RK has been avoiding Rom as much as possible as he knows he doesn't want to stay or work hard for the team.
127 Posted 16/08/2016 at 19:52:57
Rushden and Diamonds
Malta
Plymouth Argyle
Barnet
Bristol City
Crystal Palace
£28,000,000
Everton
Am I missing something here?
128 Posted 17/08/2016 at 05:57:10
129 Posted 17/08/2016 at 14:44:12
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1 Posted 15/08/2016 at 13:53:06
Look forward to you donning the blue jersey.