Vitalii Mykolenko has clear Everton blueprint after what he does for David Moyes
Vitalii Mykolenko will surely personally admit he hasn’t been at his best for Everton this season.
The Ukraine international started for David Moyes’ team at Craven Cottage and had an abysmal start, but redeemed himself in the end.
Adam Aznou must’ve been wondering what he’s done wrong at Hill Dickinson Stadium to struggle for game time after Mykolenko’s first-half display against the Cottagers.
However, the 26-year-old left-back ended up providing the assist for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser in the Merseyside outfit’s 2-1 victory, and the defender now arguably knows what he needs to do to maintain his place in the starting lineup.
Vitalii Mykolenko must show more attacking prowess at Everton
Michael Ball was pleased to see Mykolenko create an important opportunity for the Toffees against Fulham.
Marco Silva’s team looked in control in the opening 45 minutes, but Moyes’ team talk at the break seemed to turn the tide in the Blues’ favour, with the defender’s overall Sofascore graphic from the game not looking pretty after a difficult first-half.
Dewsbury-Hall’s corner in the 83rd minute forced an own goal from Brend Leno to help the Merseysiders grab the three points in West London.
Writing in the Liverpool Echo on 9 February, Ball said, “Mykolenko also deserves credit. A few weeks ago, I was clear in my belief he needed to get forward more, and hopefully, his assist will give him the confidence to do that more often and keep going forward and being consistent in those areas where he has been passive and uncomfortable in the past. I was made up for him.”
Mykolenko and Jake O’Brien haven’t been the best full-backs in the Premier League when it comes to their attacking contribution, and that’s something they must both change in the coming weeks.
The Ukraine international clearly has a blueprint of what he needs to do more under Moyes to help achieve European qualification this season.
David Moyes plays risky game at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Mykolenko’s current contract at Everton expires at the end of the season, giving them a major priority in the coming weeks.
If the Toffees fail to convince the left-back to sign a new deal, they’ll undoubtedly be in a bit of a pickle, with Aznou clearly not in Moyes’ plans at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Scottish manager’s reluctance to play the former Bayern Munich defender means the Blues don’t know whether he can replace Mykolenko.
There’s uncertainty around the Ukrainian defender’s future, and the Merseyside outfit may have to look for his successor in the summer.