Yannick Bolasie recently joined Everton from Crystal Palace.
Powerful winger Yannick Bolasie has denied claims from former boss Alan Pardew that his heart and soul wasn’t at Crystal Palace prior to joining Everton this week, the Telegraph reports.
As reported in The Mirror last week, Bolasie was Everton-bound, but rather surprisingly he turned out for Palace last weekend before making his switch to the Toffees in midweek.
Pardew has since come out and said that preventing Bolasie’s switch to Everton was an impossible task, and suggested that the winger’s heart and soul was no longer with the Selhurst Park club, as reported by The Sun.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
Speaking after his arrival at Goodison Park, Bolasie rubbished his ex-manager’s claims and stated he wouldn’t have featured for the Eagles against West Bromwich Albon if that was the case.
“I don’t know why he’s come out and said that,” Bolasie told the Telegraph. “If my heart and soul weren’t in it then I wouldn’t have wanted to play against West Brom (last weekend).
“I wouldn’t have tried to be involved but I was there for the team because I respect all the boys at Palace.”
Palace ultimately went on to lose 1-0 at home to the Baggies, but Bolasie was one of his side’s better players and showed glimpses of what Everton can look forward to this season.
The DR Congo international is a quick, direct winger who enjoys having the ball at his feet and running at the opposing full-backs, commiting defenders and bringing others in to play.
Ronald Koeman will know exactly what he is getting with Bolasie, and Palace now have a big void to fill while Everton have a top player on their hands.
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