Bolasie in line for Everton debut against WBA

Lyndon Lloyd , 18 August, 11comments | Jump to most recent

Romelu Lukaku will undergo a late fitness test along with Ashley Williams

Yannick Bolasie will be included in the squad to face West Bromwich Albion this weekend and is likely to make first appearance following his £22.5m move from Crystal Palace.

Everton play their first away game of the new season when they travel to the Hawthorns but while one new signing is likely to be making his debut, Ronald Koeman will make late decisions on whether to start Ashley Williams and Romelu Lukaku.

Bolasie had a full pre-season with Palace and played last weekend, coincidentally against the Baggies, as a substitute but Williams returned late from Euro2016 and Lukaku is recovering from the gash to his heel he suffered in the friendly against Espanyol.

Koeman explained in his pre-match press conference that the Belgian has had one training session this week and that like Williams, his readiness will be assessed tomorrow before the final starting XI is selected. Seamus Coleman is expected to be out for another two weeks.

“[Bolasie] will be part of the squad but whether he starts or is on the bench, that we will decide tomorrow, "Koeman explained during his presser.

"[Williams] is a decision we need to make tomorrow because we know that he started pre-season late. He had four, five days last week but he's close to being part of the team and he will be in the squad for Saturday.

It was the first opportunity for the television media to quiz Koeman over the big-money acquisition of Bolasie, one that the manager admits is a big move for both parties, and he is confident the Congolese international will make his mark at Goodison. “When you've paid that amount of money for a player, it's really an important transfer," the Dutchman continued. "We've known about his qualities and he was on my list for a long time because I think he's that type of striker.

“Physically, he's fast, he has pace and a great mentality. His work-rate is high, he gives the team energy and he's one of the best wingers in the Premier League.

“Of course it's a big transfer for the boy, its a big transfer for Everton but he's a good player. Play out your qualities and we will support you, just like we'll do with all the players at Everton."

Reader Comments (11)

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

Liam Reilly
1 Posted 18/08/2016 at 17:54:10

"We've known about his qualities and he was on my list for a long time because I think he's that type of striker."

I thought he was more of a winger but this suggests that he could start upfront; with maybe Rom starting on the bench.

Phil Bellis
2 Posted 18/08/2016 at 18:05:28

Unlike some we could name, he refuses to talk about players contracted to other clubs

Damian Wilde
3 Posted 18/08/2016 at 18:10:51

Liam, did you not read on?

'...and he's one of the best wingers in the Premier League.'

I hope he starts.

John Hammond
4 Posted 18/08/2016 at 18:15:05

4-3-3 with Del boy, Kev and Bolasie the front 3? Scare the life out of them from the start!

Sam Hoare
5 Posted 18/08/2016 at 18:32:45

Stekelenburg
Davies/Holgate, Williams, Jagielka, Baines
Barkley, Barry, Gueye
Deulofeu, Lukaku, Bolasie

3-0 to the blues!

Jay Harris
6 Posted 18/08/2016 at 18:44:31

I would play McCarthy and Mirallas in this one, Sam.

My choice would be:

Stekelenburg
Jagielka, Williams, Funes Mori
McCarthy, Barry, Gueye, Baines
Mirallas, Lukaku, Bolasie

I agree with you on the score though.

Gareth Clark
7 Posted 18/08/2016 at 19:07:19

Stekelenburg
Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori
Davies, Gueye, Barry, Baines
Barkley
Lukaku, Deulofeu

Williams on for Holgate
McCarthy on for Barry
Bolasie on for Lukaku

Simon Bates
8 Posted 18/08/2016 at 19:31:15

With Bolasie stating hm and Rom are friends and Rom asking Bolasie to come to Everton for ages, then if I was RK, I would take advantage of that.

Play them together as much as possible until that deadline. If they gel, it would be a major factor in keeping Rom, although the same could be said of the opposite.

Keep them apart in case they don't gel, hoping their friendship and promise will keep Rom interested â€” that and 𧴰 grand a week, of course.

Trevor Lynes
9 Posted 18/08/2016 at 22:13:00

McCarthy was in for the injured Coleman.I reckon the best side we can field would be;

Stekelenburg, McCarthy, Jagielka, Williams, Funes Mori and Baines with Gueye and Barry or Barkley in midfield.Mirallas or Deulofeu wide right; Lukaku and Bolasie

Bench; Robles, Mirallas or Deulofeu, Barry or Barkley, Holgate, Lennon, Cleverley and Davies.

Lukaku advised Bolasie to sign for us, so that bodes well for the big fellow staying for another season.Koeman has made some really clever signings so far.

Anthony Newell
10 Posted 19/08/2016 at 07:12:27

So Palace have taken the proceeds and spent it on Benteke

Objectively, if you had 27m to spend on a player would it be Bolasie or Big Ben?

I hope come 5pm Saturday that the Baggies groundkeeper is installing a new net because Bolasie has the ripped the back out of it!

Ernie Baywood
11 Posted 19/08/2016 at 07:20:38

Good question Anthony. If I was Palace I'd say Benteke... might be the goals that keep them up.

For us I'd say Bolasie, assuming we keep Rom.

Probably a good set of deals all round.

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