Crystal Palace assistant manager Keith Millen believes that Yannick Bolasie’s new long-term deal at Selhurst Park will help him return to his outstanding best.
The persistent talk of leaving South London for Tottenham Hotspur seemed to be a sort of distraction for the winger.
The North London side were linked with the DR Congo international throughout the summer and the persistent rumours affected the 26-year-old’s performances on the pitch.
However, Bolasie has put the rumours of an exit to bed by committing to Palace until the summer of 2019. The Eagles captured Bolasie from Championship side Bristol City for a small fee of £250,000.
Now, the winger is seen as a pivotal part of Alan Pardew’s side and his link-up play with the likes of Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha is so easy on the eye that any football fan enjoys it – unless it’s against their team.
Speaking to the South London Press, Millen said:
There was a lot of speculation in the media about clubs wanting him and that did affect him a little bit. I think it does with anybody. So for that to be put to bed has got to be pleasing. The chairman has done well again. We’ve got all our key players signed up now.
It bodes well. The chairman is paying the money and the players see where we are trying to go. I think now you’ll see Yannick settle down and get some more game time under his belt, because I still don’t think he is fully fit.
Yannick is one of these lads who needs to be playing games to keep improving. It’s been a little stop-start for him, but that game time will come. After this weekend he’s got a couple of international games and hopefully he returns fit and well.
