BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Yannick Bolasie of Everton in action during the pre-season friendly match between Blackpool and Everton at Bloomfield Road on August 22, 2020 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
According to Football Insider (h/t Teesside Live), Yannick Bolasie has been linked with an exit from Everton. Middlesbrough are said to be making another effort to sign him after a move fell through on the summer deadline day. The winger has been excluded from Carlo Ancelotti’s 25-man squad.
The 31-year-old Congolese forward started his youth career at Rushden and Diamonds FC. He moved to Hillingdon Boro in 2006. One-year stints followed at Hillingdon Boro and Floriana.
Plymouth Argyle signed him in 2008 but was loaned out three times in three seasons. He featured for Barnet on loan in two separate spells. On his return, he was given a run in the first-team. He played 52 times for them and scored 8 goals.
In 2011, he signed for Bristol City but moved to Crystal Palace the following season. He was an important player for Palace during those years. In 144 appearances, he scored 13 goals and assisted another 30 (source – Transfermarkt).
Everton signed him in 2016 and despite having a decent first two seasons, he was sent on loan thrice within 2018 and 2020, to Aston Villa, Anderlecht and Sporting CP. To date, he has just 32 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 2 goals and assisting 4. The winger has made 35 appearances for the Congo national team, scoring 9 goals in the process.
A look at Everton’s squad will tell you that the team is well-stocked in almost all areas. They need to clear some players to balance the books. The new arrivals, James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure have slotted into the first-team well enough.
To address the Bolasie situation, Ancelotti has used Richarlison, Rodriguez, Iwobi, Bernard and a couple of others as wingers. The first choices are Richarlison and Rodriguez, and for good reasons.
This leaves no room for someone like Bolasie, who plays in the same position. His age also means that there are younger players waiting in the line, such as the talented Antony Gordon. This leaves Bolasie with very few options other than leaving the club.
The club should not hesitate to cut their losses too, as Bolasie has never looked quite settled at the club. They should let him leave for Middlesbrough as the club are interested in bringing him. It would give the player a chance to start afresh and clear some deadwood from Everton.