Vitalii Mykolenko’s Everton future surely sealed after David Moyes decision vs Man United
Everton’s chances of claiming a European spot for next season took a hit on Monday night.
In the first meeting between Everton and Man United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, it was the Red Devils who marked this new chapter with a 1-0 win.
David Moyes‘ side were unable to make the most of their relatively few openings on the United goal, before the in-form Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to win it with a little under 20 minutes to play.
That’s now back-to-back league defeats for the Toffees, which leaves them sitting ninth in the Premier League, eight points off Chelsea in fifth and a further three points behind United in fourth respectively.
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David Moyes made revealing Vitalii Mykolenko call vs United
Moyes made a number of changes to his Everton team that lost to Bournemouth prior to the United game, one of which saw Vitalii Mykolenko drop to the bench.
The 26-year-old has not been at his best for the Toffees this season, and with his contract expiring this summer, there are serious doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.
He was linked with a move away from Everton in this season’s winter window, but nothing materialised for him on that front, and there has been talk of the Toffees potentially looking to extend his deal to protect his transfer value if nothing else.
However, Moyes’ decision to not only drop him against United on Monday night, but to play centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite at left-back over him, possibly revealed his and Everton’s hand regarding his future.
Whilst Branthwaite can operate at left-back, helped largely due to him being left-footed, the 23-year-old is a centre-back by trade, and so it may not say much for Mykolenko’s chances if he continues to be chosen over him.
Branthwaite put in a solid performance in that position too on Monday, whilst James Garner was also a makeshift right-back against United, perhaps showing that Moyes isn’t keen on any of his natural full-back options currently.
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Everton must do better than Mykolenko if they want to kick on
Having played over 140 times for Everton since signing from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2022, Mykolenko has been a good servant to the Toffees.
But, inconsistency has plagued his time on Merseyside, and so whilst there is a good player in there when he’s at his best, Everton should feel as though they need to do find better if they are to become a serious force in the Premier League.
They have a real chance of recording their first top half finish since 2020-21 this season, and they have consistently been able to improve upon their league position over the last few campaigns.
So, this summer should see Everton chiefs really push the boat out to try and turn the Toffees into a genuine European football contender next term, and that may well have to see the likes of Mykolenko moved on from.
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