Bolasie's left-field loan move to Belgium could be what's needed to revamp his flatlining career

After joining Belgian Jupiler side Anderlecht on loan until the end of the season, the future of former Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie looks extremely unclear.

The DR Congo international - who can operate on either flank - was one of the Premier League's most promising prospects just three years ago, earning himself a £25 million move to Everton in 2016.

However after suffering a serious ACL injury just four months into his career with the Toffees, Bolasie has seen his career massively stall in Merseyside.

Since his return from the sidelines, the 29-year-old has struggled to integrate himself back into the first team fold at Goodison Park and found himself loaned out to Aston Villa at the beginning of this season.

Things didn't quite work out for him at Villa Park however, and he returned to his parent club last month having scored just two goals in 21 games for the West Midland outfit, exercising his right to end his temporary contract with the Villains.

What followed was undoubtedly the most bizarre transfer of this January's window, as Bolasie joined Anderlecht on loan until the end of the season on deadline day.

After a difficult time at Villa, where Bolasie struggled with consistency despite being given plenty of game time, a move to the much less demanding Jupiler league could be exactly what the winger needs.

In a league where the tempo is a lot slower than that of the top two English divisions, Bolasie will be given the perfect opportunity to regain form in the Belgian top flight.

He'll be the main man at Anderlecht, just like he was at previous clubs Bristol City and Crystal Palace and that's something that shouldn't be overlooked when talking about a players confidence levels.

After his severe knee injury in 2016, Bolasie went from being the star of the show to a fringe player at Everton. He was deemed a waste of money having cost the club £25 million and it wasn't his fault. It's what turned him from a player full of skill, trickery and arrogance into a player lacking the inner-confidence required to compete in the best leagues in England.

Bolasie has shown flashes of brilliance since returning from injury, notably scoring a stunning consolation goal for Everton against Manchester City last March.

He also put in some solid performances whilst on loan at Aston Villa, rescuing a point for the Villains in dramatic style when he jabbed home an equaliser from close range against Preston in October.

A memorable match against current league leaders Leeds United, where Bolasie effortlessly skinned two defenders before crossing the ball reminded us all of exactly what he can do, however sadly these moments came few and far between and it was clear he wasn't really living up to expectations at Villa Park.

It's evident that Bolasie has bags of ability and the cruel injury he suffered just months into his tenure in Merseyside has set his career back substantially, but hopefully in Belgium he can start to regain consistency and get back to being the star man who is relied upon to carry teams forward.

Everton currently have Richarlison, Theo Walcott, Ademola Lookman and Bernard all available to them in wide areas, so breaking back into the side at Goodison Park looks unlikely.

A successful left-field loan spell away from English shores could be exactly what he needs however, and should he get back to his best then there's no doubt we'll see the 29-year-old return to the Premier League; whether it be with the Toffees or another side lacking a creative spark out wide.