- Moyes is planning a defensive overhaul at Everton this summer.
- The Toffees are in dire need of adding full backs to their squad.
- New right backs and left backs are expected at the Hill Dickinson.
Everton’s disappointing end to the season has signified a need for an injection of quality in the upcoming summer transfer window.
After recruiting quality such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish in the previous summer window, David Moyes will hope to produce another productive summer window.
The Scotsman must also consider the futures of his current players, and one man who is set to extend his stay on Merseyside is Vitalii Mykolenko.
But it is imperative that another left back is added in order to bring competition for the Ukrainian.
Vitalii Mykolenko has had it comfortable at Everton
Since arriving from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2022, Mykolenko has been the Blues’ starting left back and has never dropped out of that position.
He has put in some impressive performances for the Toffees, but has largely held onto his role in the XI because there has been no one else to challenge him.
The signing of Adam Aznou was hoped to bring competition for Mykolenko, yet after just one appearance over the course of the season, the Moroccan does not appear to be the option Moyes is looking for.
The Athletic reported that the Toffees will look for cover at left back as Aznou’s future on Merseyside remains unclear.
This is a promising sign ahead of the window, however Moyes must not make the same mistake as he did last summer.
A first-team left back is needed at Everton
Moyes has stated that his reason for leaving Aznou out of his playing squads is that he believes the defender currently does not have the tools to cope with top-level football.
One would think, following such a bright cameo against Sunderland, the 19-year-old would have found more action over the course of this season, but it seems there are more factors surrounding the Moroccan, as he no longer even features on the substitutes’ bench.
It is hoped Moyes learns from his lesson with Aznou, and instead of recruiting a young full back with potential, he opts to find a player that is ready to jump straight into first team action and attempts to seize the starting left back spot.
Mykolenko has been solid for Everton, yet his attacking abilities are insufficient for a team that wants to produce deep cup runs and compete in European football.
With the addition of a Premier League-level left back, the Toffees will have more depth and see an immediate boost in their attacking play.
