What could Yannick Bolasie bring to Aston Villa?
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The transfer window may have closed for another year but Football League clubs still have until the end of August to get loan signings through the door.
One player seemingly on the move is Everton winger Yannick Bolasie.
The former Crystal Palace man has fallen down the pecking order after the clutch of summer arrivals including Andre Gomes, Richarlison and Bernard at Goodison Park.
It looks like Bolasie could be primed for a loan spell in the Championship with Aston Villa reportedly interested.
We take a look at what he could bring to Steve Bruce’s side…
Experience and quality
Bolasie will be no stranger to succeeding at this level. The forward was part of Crystal Palace’s 2012-13 Championship promotion winning side, notching seven assists.
He also had spells in the second-tier with Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle and has steadily risen through the ranks.
The 29-year-old will bring a Premier League edge to the Villa side, having finally turned his promise into productivity during the 2015/16 Premier League season scoring four goals and assisting eleven.
Change of personnel
Bruce has had to field midfielder Mile Jedinak as a make-shift centre-back at the start of the season.
The loss of John Terry in the summer has meant a re-shuffle. The signing of Bolasie could mean Ahmed Elmohamady reverts to his right back slot, vacating the right wing.
Axel Tuanzebe could then move into the heart of the defence alongside James Chester.
A move for Bolasie will also release some of the burden on Jack Grealish who is the sole creator in the Villa side.
Psychological edge
Villa were a game away from returning to the Premier League last season. But now they’ve had to dust themselves down and go again.
Fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough were thought to have agreed a deal with Bolasie before The Villans swooped in.
If they were able to snare Bolasie from under Boro’s noses this will strike a big blow on their rivals.
His arrival will be music to the ears of Grealish and Jonathon Kodjia as they try strike the right chord and return to the Promised Land.
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