- Vitalii Mykolenko has extended his Everton deal until June 2029.
- He is featuring in his fourth full season for the Toffees.
- The Ukrainian has started at left back since arriving in 2022.
Vitalii Mykolenko has signed a new contract with Everton that keeps him at the club until June 2029.
As the Toffees’ starting left back, he has been part of defensive units that have battled through relegation fights, with this seeing being his first away from the drop.
The Ukrainian has his limitations in the final third of the pitch, but has shown astuteness as an out-and-out defender.
So had he shown enough to prove he deserved a new contract?
The two sides of Vitalii Mykolenko
Once Lucas Digne was sold in the January 2022 window, Mykolenko was brought in as his replacement.
The Ukrainian and the Frenchman are extremely different full backs, with Digne priding himself on attacking play, and Mykolenko on his defensive output.
According to Matt Jones, in 142 Premier League appearances, the 26-year-old has only recorded three assists, with only Joel Veltman and Kyle Walker-Peters achieving fewer assists after playing 100+ matches.
But on the flipside, since joining Everton, the Ukrainian international ranks fourth for interceptions and ninth for tackles among Premier League defenders.
Both stats highlight Mykolenko’s playstyle as a defender whose skills lie in a resolute defensive unit.
The pressures of a modern-day full back include being part of the defence and the attack, and while Everton’s starting left back has not proven to match the output of Digne and Leighton Baines, his defensive work must be applauded.
A new left back is still required
Mykolenko deserves his contract, and it makes sense to keep a player who has shown reliable match fitness and knows how to operate in a compact defence.
However, due to the nature of the game, a side cannot be successful if they have full backs who cannot offer any attacking threat.
The 26-year-old has shown his willingness to help his corresponding winger, and he makes an effort to launch balls into the box, but he still struggles to create chances for attackers.
Moyes must go out and find a genuine attacking full back to aid his impressive arsenal of wingers.
Mykolenko’s role at Everton is important, and if they are to return to the European stage, then they will need him as a squad player in order to maintain depth.
But he cannot continue to have his starting role unchallenged.
