Form Guide: Bolasie-Lukaku partnership has Everton dreaming of Europe
When Everton forked out to sign Yannick Bolasie this past summer, in the process potentially becoming the club’s most expensive signing in their history if certain clauses are triggered, many pondered the thought process in spending big on a player who has constantly been accused of lacking an end product. Indeed, during his time at Crystal Palace, the 27-year-old never scored more than five league goals or registered more than six assists in a single season at Selhurst Park.
As capable of the sublime as he was the ridiculous at times, Bolasie seemed to lack the necessary consistency to really establish himself as one of the Premier League’s consistent attacking stars. Nevertheless, Everton boss Ronald Koeman was adamant that Bolasie was worth the outlay, while many fans questioned the desire to match Palace's demands for the DR Congo international, it’s fair to say the Toffees are reaping the benefits of his arrival.
Of those to make more than one start, Bolasie is Everton’s second highest rated player with a rating of 7.40 this season, by far and away his best in a Premier League campaign. He’s rapidly repaying the faith shown in him by the club and Koeman having created more clear-cut chances (7) than any other Premier League player this season, while an average of 1.8 key passes per game this term is again his best in a top-flight campaign in his career.
Moreover, 3.1 successful dribbles per game this season is also top for Bolasie in a league campaign and better than any other Everton player. The Toffees’ top performing winger in that sense last term was Gerard Deulofeu, but his figure (1.8) is dwarfed by the Goodison Park newcomer this term. Evidently, Koeman identified the need for a more potent attacking threat out wide, with Bolasie’s dribbling arguably his strongest asset.
What’s been most notable about his start to life on Merseyside, however, has been how quickly he has struck up a partnership with star striker Romelu Lukaku. When a new player arrives, it can often take time for the signing to get on the same wavelength as his new teammates, yet Bolasie’s instant rapport with Lukaku has helped Everton to a strong start to the campaign. Ahead of the final gameweek before - thankfully - the last international break of the year, the Toffees sit sixth in the Premier League and have a very real shot of securing a European finish this season.
Lukaku’s goals have been vital in that regard. Only Diego Costa (8) has scored more in the Premier League than the Belgium international (7) this season, who looks to be back to his best after a poor end to the previous campaign and an underwhelming Euro 2016. That in part is down to the instant impact Bolasie has made upon his arrival. The winger has four assists to his name this season, all of which have been for a Lukaku goal. Indeed, Bolasie to Lukaku is the best assist to goalscorer combination in the Premier League this season, while the former’s solitary league goal was assisted by the latter.
While much of the focus early in the season came on Everton’s acquisition of Idrissa Gueye, the duo’s attacking input has been essential in the opening months of the campaign. Gueye offers the defensive protection for the side - and will be a huge loss when Everton face Chelsea this weekend with the Senegal star suspended - that allows Bolasie and Lukaku, among others, to thrive in the final third. With that in mind, Everton have the attacking personnel required to end an impressive run for the Blues, with the latter duo set to play a key role once more.
Yet, there is more to the understanding between both players than meets the eye, with the pairing’s heritage also helping Bolasie quickly settle on Merseyside. As a DR Congo international, Bolasie is well-versed in Lingala, while Lukaku, who is of Congolese descent, is fluent the dialect. “We speak Lingala on the pitch. There aren’t too many defenders in the league who speak it, so that gives us a little bit of an advantage,” Bolasie said this week. This adds an extra dimension to the connection between the two players that has helped the duo start the season in fine form.
It then comes as little shock that Lukaku has passed to Bolasie more times (34) than he has any other Premier League teammate this season. Now the 23-year-old has a suitable attacking outlet to help shoulder the offensive burden when last season, there was none. Under Roberto Martinez, Lukaku was often tasked with shielding the ball, turning opponents, carrying possession forward and going for goal himself; it’s no wonder he looked fatigued as the campaign came to a head. Now, though, Lukaku looks back to his best with Bolasie’s arrival certainly having the desired impact for the Toffees, with the winger silencing any critics in the process.
Can the partnership between Bolasie and Lukaku help Everton back into Europe this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
