Player Focus: Palace Profit as Bolasie Battles to Keep Zaha at Bay
It's fair to say that Neil Warnock's return to Selhurst Park was met with some disappointment from the Palace fans, with the outspoken manager having never really proven himself at Premier League level.
Four games since his appointment the Eagles remain unbeaten in the league in Warnock's second spell at the club, with the journeyman manager appeasing the fans by bringing Wilfried Zaha back on loan to the club where he made his name.
Rewind two years and the young forward looked set to be the next big thing in English football, earning a place in the Championship team of the season in Palace's 2012/13 promotion campaign and a subsequent big money move to United. While you've got the remote to hand fast-forward back to the present and things haven't exactly panned out the way Zaha and, it’s fair to say, followers of the then teenage wonder would have hoped.
Much was expected from the youngster on his return and even more so after an impressive start saw him net in Warnock's first match in charge against Newcastle, coming off the bench to do so. That was enough to see the winger earn a start in the following match with Burnley but he was withdrawn midway through the second half and hasn't returned to the starting line-up since.
The man who he had replaced in the XI, and subsequently came on for the loanee against the Clarets, was Yannick Bolasie. He was another key member of the side that saw Palace return to the top-flight, also gaining a place in the Championship team of the season for 2012/13, albeit in the shadow of his returned teammate.
Injury saw Bolasie unable to prevent a dismal start to the following Premier League campaign under Ian Holloway - indeed this weekend's match will be the anniversary of his first top-flight appearance and his first start last season came in Holloway's last game at the helm - but the winger is now very much up to speed with the rigours of England's top tier.
Bolasie is the kind of player that can always cause the opposing full-back real problems with his pace and trickery. He's been in impressive form in Palace's recent back-to-back wins, finally opening his Premier League account in the first of those at Everton.
It had been a long time coming, and a lot of attempts too. Indeed, no player had more shots without scoring in the Premier League last season (48), with that figure rising to 53 before notching in the second half at Goodison Park. When the goal did come, as so often seems the case, it was the finish of a player who looked like he'd been doing it for years.
Bolasie is the kind of player that would certainly fall into the 'raw' category. He's all action but has lacked end product in the top-flight too often. The fact, then, that he is now 25 is slightly concerning and would probably prevent him from ever moving to a club with European aspirations. Continue in his current vein of form and there'll certainly be interest from elsewhere though.
What you get with the winger is a genuine direct threat and it's a godsend for a side like Palace, who often have to soak up a lot of pressure, to have someone who can stretch the game. It may seem a bold statement but there are very few better dribblers of the ball in the Premier League.
From the start of last season in fact, only three players have completed more dribbles in the English top-flight than Bolasie (85). When you consider that those players are Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez his ability when running with the ball can be put into perspective.
Add a consistent goal threat to his game and his stock would rise substantially. Bolasie certainly has the work rate and physical attributes to play at a higher level. From Palace's perspective, much like any other 'small' club in possession of a player of his ilk, they may be caught between a rock and a hard place. If he could up his contribution to the team's goal tally it would be great for them but could see an increase in interest in his services.
A caveat to any potential suitors for the 25-year-old would be the African Cup of Nations in January. The winger chose to represent DR Congo with his chances of a call-up to either the French or English national sides seeming unlikely. At 23 he actually had the chance to play in the 2013 Cup of Nations but rejected DR Congo's overtures to focus on his club form, making his debut for the nation just months later.
Drawn in a very tough group with Cameroon and Ivory Coast progression to the tournament itself is anything but a certainty but it would be interesting to see whether Bolasie would make the same decision. From an entirely selfish point of view Palace may well hope the two group favourites qualify as expected in order to avoid such a scenario.
Bolasie will likely to be key to Palace’s bid to retaining their Premier League status and has the pace, strength, physique and trickery to pose any side problems on his day. Making it 'his day' on a more consistent basis will be crucial to their survival and is now just as important in terms of his career progression. For now though, it seems Zaha will have to make do with a watching brief while Bolasie and Puncheon continue to shine.
How impressed have you been with Bolasie performances recently? Let us know in the comments below
