Frank Lampard should not replace Vitaliy Mykolenko with Rúben Vinagre at left-back for Everton
Everton are going through a decent start to their 2022/23 campaign where they have already registered 10 points from their first eight matches.
One of the contrasting things of the Toffees this term is their defensive performance as they remain the team with the least number of goals conceded out of all the 20 teams in the competition.
The most refreshing aspect of the Merseyside club’s defensive attributes this year has been the pairing of full-backs Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko.
While the former has been sidelined for a while after suffering an injury in the international break, the latter remains fit and has become one of the starters at the club.
It is because of this reason, new signing Rúben Vinagre has not been able to cement his place in the starting XI.
Too good to be replaced
During the press conference ahead of Everton’s fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, 09 October, Lampard was asked when can Vinagre be seen in action, to which he responded by saying: “He’s doing well. He trains well with us, he’s a good lad. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times because it’s difficult in my job sometimes.
“Consistency has been a good part of our season in terms of being able to pick the same players on the pitch.
“When players are playing well, you want to keep going with them. Ruben has to train at a good level and be ready. That’s literally my answer.
“In terms of his attitude and training performances, I can’t fault him at all to be ready when he comes in.”
Those words are interesting because in simpler terms Lampard said that the former Portugal under-21 international is not getting game time because of his quality and not because of his attitude or any other reason.
That can be proved by the fact that Vinagre averaged just 1.1 tackle, 0.5 interceptions and 0.4 clearances per match for Sporting in the 2021/22 season whereas his direct replacement Mykolenko has produced far superior numbers this season for the Toffees where he averages 2.1 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 2.5 clearances per game [Whoscored]
Those numbers suggest why Lampard is finding it hard to give the former Wolves player any game time despite him having no attitude problems and showing good energy on the training ground.
With the side already missing Patterson for a considerable amount of time, it is important that the former Derby manager keep using the Ukraine international and keep the consistency going.