Adam Aznou is biggest winner after Everton loss vs Stuttgart, David Moyes can no longer ignore issue
Adam Aznou came on as a second-half substitute as Everton lost 3-1 against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
David Moyes' team travelled to MHPArena on 8 August, with the hosts taking a one-goal lead into the break courtesy of Nikolas Nartey.
Ramon Hendricks added a second for the Bundesliga outfit before Thierno Barry won a penalty and got one back, but Badredine Bouanani's late strike sealed a loss for the visitors.
Aznou replaced Vitalii Mykolenko in the 76th minute, but fans will argue Moyes should have done it sooner.
The Morocco youth international was an outcast at the Blues last season, but has put in some impressive performances in the recent friendlies.
While it wasn't surprising to see the former Bayern Munich left-back get dropped to the bench for the Ukraine international, the Scottish manager may now regret that decision.
Who will be Everton's first-choice left-back next season
Moyes wants Celtic's Alistair Johnston to bolster the right-back spot ahead of next season.
The Scottish manager has been relying on Jake O'Brien or Merlin Rohl to play out of position due to a lack of options.
Mykolenko has been the first choice at left-back and recently signed a new contract, but his performances don't warrant a place in the starting lineup.
Against Stuttgart, the defender was poor at the back and baffled by his decision-making when given the opportunity in the final third.
In one moment, the 27-year-old was one-on-one with a defender near the opposition corner and, after trying to get past his man, he played a weak cross into the box with none of his teammates around.
Mykolenko could have just turned back and played a safe pass to a teammate, but instead decided to take the defender on and failed miserably.
How Adam Aznou has fared under David Moyes during pre-season
Aznou has had some encouraging performances during pre-season for Everton.
The left-back's best display came against Dundee and he also had his moments against Bolton.
But since then, the Morocco youngster has had to settle for cameo appearances against Stoke City and Hamburg.
Moyes has shown reluctance to trust Aznou, but given Mykolenko's displays, the Scottish manager can no longer ignore the issue at left-back.
The ex-Bayern defender might be the biggest winner after the loss against Stuttgart and the 63-year-old head coach should have faith in him to start the first game of the Premier League season.
If not, the same old issues from Moyes' stubbornness will only continue to hurt Everton, yet again.