Why a return to Selhurst Park would be a fairytale move for Yannick Bolasie
Crystal Palace have endured a relatively quiet transfer window but manager Roy Hodgson did bring in a couple of players to bolster the squad. The Eagles have signed Max Meyer and Vicente Guaita as free agents while Cheikhou Kouyate arrived from West Ham United just last week.
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are aiming to sign Yannick Bolasie on loan from Everton. The winger is surplus to requirements at Merseyside and could be offloaded for the right fee (h/t The Sun). Everton signed Bolasie from Selhurst Park in 2016 for a fee of around £25million.
But the winger has failed to make the mark with the Toffees, enduring a frustrating spell with the club. Bolasie was often on the sidelines due to his persistent injury troubles. In fact, the winger was only able to muster a total of 16 games last season.
A move back to the Eagles would be a win-win scenario for both clubs. Bolasie was a fan favourite during his time at Selhurst Park and a return would be a fairytale move for the player. In his four years with Palace, Bolasie rose to prominence, establishing himself as one of their main threats going forward.
Last season, Crystal Palace lacked a cutting edge in the final third which saw striker Christian Benteke endure a torrid time while trying to get the ball across the net. Roy Hodgson subsequently shifted Wilfried Zaha into a striker’s role which saw the former Manchester United winger flourish.
However, the manager cannot afford to do so again and this is where Bolasie’s move will prove crucial. The 29-year-old is comfortable playing in a wide number of roles. Although he is generally deployed as a left-winger, Bolasie is also capable of playing on the right flank. His versatility enables the winger to comfortably slot into a central attacking midfield role as well.
Bolasie’s presence will provide Hodgson with a number of options while picking his team. The Congo international possesses immense pace and dribbling abilities on the ball. He is a direct player who often likes to take on defenders with his silky skills.
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The winger would flourish playing alongside the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Alexander Sorloth. With Bolasie in the squad, Palace would be devastating going forward.
Now, Hodgson faces a race against time but he must complete a move for the former Palace winger since he would provide them with some much-needed venom and threat in the final third.