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Bolasie: This team belongs in the top six
The 27-year-old became Ronald Koeman's fourth signing when he put pen to paper on a five-year contract today, a week after the two clubs settled on a price that could eventually come close to matching the Blues' record fee for an incoming player.
Bolasie completed a medical yesterday and wrapped up the formalities of his transfer from the Capital before sitting down in front of the cameras for his first interview as an Everton player.
The French-born winger, who will wear the number 14 jersey, seems to be genuinely excited about having joined the Blues and the prospect of playing in front of supporters who made a clear impression on him on previous visits playing for Palace.
Yannick Bolasie
He scored his first Premier League goal at Goodison Park but it's the impression he got from the Evertonian faithful when a goal went into the other end that also appears to have stayed with him.
“I'm looking forward to putting on this Everton shirt,” Bolasie told evertontv. “It's a very big club and I know about [it] from playing here over the years. I know what the supporters are like and what the atmosphere is like in the ground.
“I was just happy [to score] but I remember when we conceded a goal and Everton scored, the way the crowd changed is the kind of support I dream of.”
“I've joined a club with quality players that has also produced a lot of quality [like] Wayne Rooney and Ross (Barkley), and not forgetting, Romelu (Lukaku) is still here so I'm looking forward to playing with these quality players.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to come here," he said in the Liverpool Echo. But now that I've come to Everton, the job is not done. I've got to work hard and feel my way in. I'm ready and up for the challenge.
“It's not about the money for me. It's about looking at the ambition of the Club and where they are trying to get to. I just like to play football."
For Koeman, landing Bolasie meets a goal he has had since his days as Southampton manager, while Everton's new Director of Football Steve Walsh is also believed to be an admirer of a player who will add pace, power and plenty of unpredictability to the team's attack.
Capable of playing on either flank or in an advanced central role if required, the DR Congo international will increase Koeman's options, particularly if Gerard Deulofeu is to continue operating more centrally.
“I think there was a little bit of interest [in me from the manager] when he was at Southampton,” Bolasie explained, “and reading some of the comments about my game… obviously he was a top centre back when he was playing at Barcelona so it's going to be interesting learning off him because he would have played against some of the elite players in the world.
“So it's going to be good getting some tips off him.
“As a personal target, I just want to get better and I feel I've done that since I've been in the Premier League. I'm looking forward to it — this team belongs in the top six, that's for sure and I'll be trying to help the team get up there for sure.”
Reader Comments (29)
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2 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:58:43
3 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:41:36
5 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:52:40
Bolasie Mirallas Barkley Delefeou
Gana
Baines Jagielka Williams Coleman
Steklenberg
Would be a side I think all the other EPL clubs would be scared to play against
6 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:21:35
Please help us beat the red shite!
7 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:31:35
9 Posted 15/08/2016 at 20:56:59
10 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:11:31
11 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:24:00
12 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:25:54
14 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:31:28
15 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:49:22
16 Posted 15/08/2016 at 23:29:14
17 Posted 15/08/2016 at 00:06:34
If Rom stays, I reckon we will see a bag full of goals over the season with YB on board.
Welcome Yannick to the true home of football.
18 Posted 16/08/2016 at 01:03:09
19 Posted 16/08/2016 at 01:03:09
20 Posted 16/08/2016 at 01:47:47
21 Posted 16/08/2016 at 01:56:50
He is a Pienaar replacement in my view.
22 Posted 16/08/2016 at 02:27:58
In any case, a superb signing. Thrilled with the recent business we've done.
23 Posted 16/08/2016 at 04:44:21
24 Posted 16/08/2016 at 06:38:13
Gana similar to Kante' which is looking to be a nice strategic purchase as well. Is this Everton we're talking about?
25 Posted 16/08/2016 at 07:17:05
We really need a central midfielder and central defender, and probably a right back to compete with Seamus which has been a problem for the longest time.
26 Posted 16/08/2016 at 07:25:41
27 Posted 16/08/2016 at 08:55:34
And a word for some of you fucking profits of doom out there, Messi and Ronaldo, are not available.
29 Posted 16/08/2016 at 12:22:42
31 Posted 16/08/2016 at 12:59:10
32 Posted 16/08/2016 at 14:04:09
Why don't think he will become an Everton player is his working back think RK wants pressing from the front and I don't think he does enough of them hence M sold him and will probably sell his again.
Personally I would sign him amazing vision and link up play.
34 Posted 16/08/2016 at 16:38:38
With all due respect to the lad, WTF would he know about the top six of the league?
35 Posted 16/08/2016 at 18:50:49
He's played against the top 6, perhaps?
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1 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:37:29