Everton have released some big names in recent years.
The Toffees have released the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott since the summer of 2021, a time when Yannick Bolasie was also let go by Everton.
Now – in a bold interview with Colinterview – the DR Congo international has claimed he was just as talented as Sadio Mane in his prime.
Let’s hear your score predictions as Everton take on Fulham at Craven Cottage!
Debut goal for Tyrique George, anyone? 👀
A custom graphic showing recent Everton results vs Fulham.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Yannick Bolasie makes claim Everton fans may question amid Sadio Mane comparison
The man born in Lyon only scored two goals and provided four assists in 32 appearances for Everton, starting brightly as he linked up well with Romelu Lukaku – who the Toffees tried to sign last month – before a serious knee injury disturbed his progress.
Bolasie – despite being a pure entertainer – has never really been prolific in front of goal, netting 75 times in 542 appearances throughout his career, but claims he could have been held in the same regard as Mane if he had more chances.
The 36-year-old said: “That’s just how he is, he’s a king, you know. I’ve played against him in the Premier League many times, and I also said before, my level was similar to his. But the difference with him is, the chances he had, I didn’t have those chances, I wasn’t scoring like that.”
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Mane netted 120 goals in 269 appearances for Liverpool and can boast 250 goals in 617 games in total throughout his club career – also recording 52 in 124 outings for Senegal.
There is a clear difference between the two in terms of goalscoring output, so whilst Bolasie – who defended Everton from Gary Neville – was unquestionably a hugely talented forward, he simply cannot compare himself to Mane.
What is Yannick Bolasie up to nowadays?
As aforesaid, Everton fans never really got to see the best of Bolasie for long after that serious knee injury, but he seems to be enjoying the latter stage of his career out in Brazil.
The skilful winger moved to Criciuma in 2024 after a brief spell at Swansea, impressing enough to earn a move to a larger Brazilian side in Cruzeiro in 2025.
What do you make of our predicted XI to face Fulham? 🤔
Let us know what changes you'd like to see made for the trip to Craven Cottage… 👇
Everton Predicted XI vs Fulham
Credit: GRV Media
Bolasie then joined Chapecoense last month, and seems to be in good spirits based on how he came across in the aforementioned interview – which Everton fans will surely be pleased to see after his injury nightmare on Merseyside.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox