Sean Dyche could axe Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko after displays v Liverpool and Leeds United
Sean Dyche may axe Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko for Ruben Vinagre when they take on Aston Villa over the weekend.
The Ukrainian has started in all three games the Englishman has been in charge, including the wins against Arsenal and Leeds United.
Mykolenko has time and again proven to be the liability in the Everton back line this season and his performances last week against Leeds and Liverpool were far from impressive.
Over the weekend, against Michael Skubala’s side, the 23-year-old lost possession on a staggering 21 occasions and completed less than 65 per cent of his passes.
His crossing was off the mark and he lost six of his attempted 10 duels on the ground as well.
Against Liverpool too, an argument can be made that he could’ve done something to prevent either goal from being scored.
The role of the full-back is ever so demanding but that’s why he’s paid the big bucks to deliver and thus far, he’s not been doing that.
He was dribbled past on three occasions as the Liverpool right side had a field day against the underperforming Ukrainian.
Mykolenko also lost 70 per cent of his attempted duels on the ground which means that defensively he offered little to no contribution.
Dyche does like his full-backs to play crosses into the box and while that was the intention for the defender, he failed to complete either of his attempted two crosses in the game.
Apart from that, he also gave away possession 11 times and on occasion, it even led to Liverpool making a quick turnover.
Everton loanee Ruben Vinagre should be given a start as Dyche can then see if he can offer something more to the side than the 23-year-old.