Koeman: Bolasie is justifying Everton’s big spend

Everton raised eyebrows when the club splashed out £30m on Yannick Bolasie but manager Ronald Koeman insists he has begun to show exactly why he came with such an expensive price tag.

After taking a couple of games to warm up on Merseyside, Bolasie has found his feet within Everton’s attack as the winger has created two assists as well as five clear-cut chances.

And Koeman said: “We knew what kind of player he is and that’s why we signed him. He’s a physically strong player who can play different positions up front.

“He’s a type of player who creates a lot of problems for opponents with his pace and physicality and that’s what we need in the team.”

Meanwhile, Koeman has been left hoping Ireland wrap James McCarthy in cotton wool during the international break after Martin O’Neill decided to call up the midfielder despite his recent injury.

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

McCarthy underwent groin surgery at the start of September, and though he has yet to return to the domestic fold, Everton are powerless to stop Ireland from using him.

“James is close, and normally he would start to train with the team next week, but the national team matches are coming up and they called James up after six weeks of not playing,” Koeman added.

“The FIFA rule means you have to accept that. I hope they will protect the player.”