Great Expectations – Yannick Bolasie

In 2013/14, Yannick Bolasie’s fleet-footed trickery may have caught the eye but, with just four assists to his name, it’s fair to say that the Crystal Palace flier struggled to translate his displays into tangible returns. Bolasie remained a somewhat peripheral figure throughout the first half of last season, before Alan Pardew’s arrival at the club harnessed the winger’s unique talents to greater effect, resulting in a significant improvement in his Fantasy prospects.

Ahead of the new campaign, Bolasie will be considered as a real prospect to sit alongside midfield heavy-hitters. An unpredictable but potentially explosive mid-price asset, the Eagles’ “magic man” could easily justify the gamble. Here’s why…

Key Factors

• Pardew’s appointment at Selhurst Park marked a distinct transformation in Palace’s playing style. The former Newcastle United boss released the shackles from their wingers, placing a greater emphasis on delivering crosses to the lone striker and midfield runners. This shift in approach was epitomised by the fact that Leicester City (470) were the only outfit to attempt more crosses than Palace (444) from the point that Pardew took the helm in Gameweek 21. Only five teams tallied more goals than Palace (27) during that period, while the Eagles ranked joint-third – behind only Manchester City and Arsenal – with regards to shots inside the box, heightening Bolasie’s attacking prospects.

 

• Bolasie made great strides on the productivity front in 2014/15. The DR Congo international recorded an impressive four goals and ranked joint-second, behind Cesc Fabregas (18), in terms of assists (12). Exploring his goal threat in greater detail, Bolasie upped the frequency of his efforts from 44 minutes to 41.9 minutes in 2014/15. He subsequently placed tenth among midfielders for total attempts (69), which was just three shy of Eden Hazard’s tally and three more than David Silva. What’s holding him back is a pitiful 5.8% goal conversion rate which, if improved upon, could make him a mid-price powerhouse. Nonetheless, Bolasie also improved from a creative standpoint, executing a key pass every 64.2 minutes in 2014/15, as compared to every 84.4 minutes in the previous season.

 

• Bolasie’s out-of-positon potential further augments his appeal and will perhaps persuade some Fantasy managers to choose him over team-mate Jason Puncheon. Pardew fielded the Rushden & Diamonds academy product centrally – as a support/lone striker or a false nine – at choice moments throughout the season. In fact, his 24-point haul against Sunderland – courtesy of a hat-trick and an assist – was the product of a central role, while Pardew wasn’t afraid to deploy Bolasie up front against Chelsea and Liverpool in Gameweeks 35 and 37 respectively.

 

• Bolasie was valued at 5.5 at the start of the last campaign and is in line for price rise to the 6.5–7.5 mark, having contributed to 16 of Palace’s 47 goals. Taking the season as a whole, Bolasie carded a points per game average (ppg) of 3.9, yet comparing this metric under the tenures of Pardew (4.9 ppg) and Warnock (3.1 ppg) better exposes his evolution as a Fantasy asset. The Lyon-born wide man contributed to 10 of the Eagles’ 21 goals upon his return from the African Cup of Nations, highlighting his focal role in their attack.

 

• A firm favourite of Pardew’s, Bolasie position as a starter appears to be under little threat. The Palace head coach feels that the winger will attract a host of suitors if he can improve his finishing, given that Bolasie’s goal output doesn’t yet do justice to his spellbinding build-up play:
  

  “He needs to find the end product and he’ll work hard on that next year. We might have a problem next year if he really starts banging them in. The thorn in his side is actual goals. Just on this season, it would be a mistake for a top club to get him because I don’t think he’s ready. But he will be ready in maybe a year or so when he’s got over that final hurdle. Then there will be no stopping him. He’s a fantastic boy and a fantastic talent. I love him to bits. I call him my “magic man”.