Yannick Bolasie admits wanting pre-season training with Everton

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Everton are likely to move on winger Yannick Bolasie this summer.

Everton-owned winger Yannick Bolasie has told Goal that he would love to be back with the Toffees for pre-season training, but that’s just not possible.

Bolasie, 30, joined Everton from Crystal Palace three years ago, with Steve Walsh splashing the cash to bring the winger to Goodison Park.

He mostly blew hot and cold in his first few months at the club before suffering a major injury, and then found himself out of Marco Silva’s plans last summer.

A loan move to Aston Villa followed, and when that was cut short, he finally found some form again as he hit six goals and three assists for the Belgian side.

Bolasie would be back with Everton and getting ready for a much-needed pre-season schedule, but he’s currently off on international duty with DR Congo.

Bolasie has now admitted that he’s ideally want to put his domestic career first and go back for pre-season training with Everton, as he feels sharp and ready to do a full pre-season for the first time in a while.

However, Bolasie is instead having to play for DR Congo, meaning he’s having to treat the Africa Cup of Nations as something like preparation for a reduced pre-season schedule.

“Logically, if I really wanted to think [about it], I’d just put my career first and say I’m going back to Everton,” said Bolasie. “I feel myself, I’m back sharp, and I’d go and do a full preseason, which I haven’t had in two years and which makes the difference to anyone’s season.”

“For me, it’s not a case of coming here to try and turn myself [around]. I want to play at the Africa Cup of Nations to the best of my ability, but I’m also taking [the tournament] as preparation for pre-season going into the next season,” he added.

That’s far from ideal for Bolasie, and whilst he may hope for another chance under Silva, that seems unlikely. He’s been something of an expensive flop for Everton, not all of his own doing given his injury woe, and with a number of other players able to play on the left of midfield, it seems that he won’t be able to save his Everton career – even if he’s making all the right noises.