Sam Allardyce believes Everton have been “crying out” for a player with Yannick Bolasie’s attributes, as the winger edges towards his Premier League comeback.
The Congo international has been out of action for 12 months after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament against Manchester United but could feature in the Premier League game against Swansea City on Monday.
Bolasie’s absence has been felt by Everton this season, particularly during their poor start under Ronald Koeman, and Allardyce hopes the 28-year-old’s pace and movement will have a major impact on the second half of the season.
“The team has been crying out for what he offers,” Allardyce said. “Yannick is blessed with dynamic movements and pace that cause defenders great concern. He probably occupies two players when he’s at his best because he’s such a danger in possession.
“He’s a player who has come from the lower leagues and built his way up to the top level of football. I always think those players have a great desire to achieve that. In the early part they’ve had people telling them they’re not good enough but their own drive, determination and belief is so strong they go on and, in Yannick’s case, arrive at Everton football club. It’s been a fantastic journey for him and because of that there’s a great opportunity for him to stay at the top level for as long as possible. Hopefully he will make a big contribution to our team when he comes back.”
Bolasie, signed from Crystal Palace for what was a club record £25m in August 2016, made two appearances for Everton’s under-23s last week and will be introduced back into the first team carefully.
Allardyce said: “It will be very pleasing to have him back in the squad but I will be very delicate with the introduction. At the very best it will be from the subs’ bench and the minutes he gets will have to be the right thing for him and the team as well, depending on how the game is going. We can’t expect too much. He will be a little rusty but if he does hit his level straight away that would be absolutely fantastic. He’s a big player to have back.
“Having spoken to Yannick I know he’s desperate to get back but we have to control that desire. It doesn’t matter how he thinks he feels, it’s about making sure we do the right process so that he’s back for a long period of time and he doesn’t injure that knee again.”