Lukaku and Koeman hand Bolasie Toffees target

Ronald Koeman and Romelu Lukaku have laid down a marker to Yannick Bolasie with a ten-goal target before the end of the season.

Bolasie made the switch from Crystal Palace over the summer, a deal believed to be worth up to £30million – a price tag he is justifying with an impressive start to his Everton career.

But while the 27-year-old has three assists from seven Premier League games so far, he has yet to hit the back of the net in a Blues shirt.

Now both Koeman and Lukaku – whose faint touch denied Bolasie a goal during the Toffees’ 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough back in September – have challenged the 27-year-old to hit double figures for the season, although the manager insists it’s not just a prowess in front of goal that will define the DR Congo international.

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“We were joking in training this morning with Romelu that Yannick would score 10 goals,” said Koeman. “So I said that would be a nice challenge for him.

“He needs more and he is just one of our players that we need a little more productivity from. But he is doing well and I am happy to have him.

“Yannick is the type of player that you like to have in your team. He can play in different positions across the front line and he gives a lot of energy to the team.

“He wants to work hard and improve. Yannick is a fantastic player to have in your team because he works and is committed to everyone at the club.”