Vitalii Mykolenko contract: Everton are right to extend defender’s deal
Everton look set to extend Vitalii Mykolenko’s contract in the coming weeks.
The Ukrainian defender could have left Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer, if the two sides had not agreed on a one-year extension clause.
A report from the i Paper on 30 April claimed that the Blues are set to trigger that clause to try and maintain continuity.
David Moyes has previously aired his confidence that the former Dynamo Kiev star would commit his future to the club.
Now, it appears Everton will be keeping Mykolenko around for the short-term future at the very least, but is it the right decision?
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What do the numbers say about Mykolenko?
Mykolenko divides opinion at Everton, with some supporters wanting more in attack and others valuing his defensive abilities.
His attacking numbers are often questioned as he takes just 0.3 shots and averages 0.7 key passes per game, according to data from Sofascore.
He is not the most comfortable in possession, completing 79 per cent of his passes and just 22 per cent of his crosses.
| Mykolenko’s stats this season | Premier League |
| Shots per game | 0.3 |
| Key passes | 0.7 |
| Tackles per game | 1.6 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 3.4 |
| Clearances per game | 4.5 |
| Ground duels won | 52% |
| Aerial duels won | 57% |
He averages 1.6 tackles, 3.4 ball recoveries and 4.5 clearances on a per-game basis, which are solid defensive numbers.
The Ukrainian also wins 52 per cent of his ground duels and 57 per cent of his battles in the air that he contests.
Given that Moyes likes his full-backs to be defensively solid first, then it makes sense to extend the 26-year-old’s contract.
Is it the right decision to extend for Everton?
Ultimately, it probably is the right decision to hand Mykolenko an extension, as his defensive numbers prove that he is right up there with the quality left-backs in the Premier League.
There is not a readymade replacement in the squad, as the boss does not trust Adam Aznou, who was signed from Bayern Munich last season.
If the youngster is not ready to take over, then Mykolenko must be kept around, as the Toffees already have multiple areas to improve in the transfer market, without needing to add a body in the position.
Securing an extension for the 52-cap international is a clever move, as it will prevent the need to bring in another player in what should already be a busy summer.
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