There was a lot of hype in Belgium around Everton allowing Yannick Bolasie to spend the rest of the current season at Anderlecht.
It was a deadline day deal in the winter market, and once which Anderlecht made clear they were very happy to secure.
Manager Fred Rutten was so pleased to get the Everton player in his team that he commented: “I had three names on my list. One, Ronaldo. Two, Messi, and three Bolasie. I’m very satisfied.”
Of course, that was lighthearted and not to be taken literally, but things like that built the expectation.
It was always going to be difficult for Bolasie to live up to the hype immediately, and that’s what has been the case. He was unable to impose himself at the weekend as Anderlecht could only manage a 0-0 draw with Zulte Waregem at home.
Belgian newspaper De Standaard cover the performance and explain Bolasie ‘entertains the public’ but ‘seldom’ did his efforts actually lead to anything worthwhile.
The 29 year old appeared to ask for patience after the match, quoted by Voetbal Krant as saying: “No matter how high you have played, every competition requires adjustment.”
Everton will be hoping the player can have a good second half of the season, if only to maximise from a sale in the summer window.
