Vitalii Mykolenko remains the only first-team left-back at Everton
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton (1R) celebrates with Abdoulaye Doucouré (1L), Ashley Young (2L) and James Garner of Everton (2R) after scoring the equalizing goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Everton FC at Craven Cottage on May 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Vitalii Mykolenko celebrates after scoring Everton's equaliser at Fulham at the back end of last season
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
In among the furore around Carlos Alcaraz and Jordan Pickford at Newcastle United on the last day of the season, one of Everton's main contributors to the win went a little under the radar. Vitalii Mykolenko.
Pickford preserved his role as pantomime villain at St James' Park with another strong performance while Alcaraz steered a header home in the second half to earn a commendable 1-0 win.
It was Mykolenko's cross that the Argentinean got on the end of. The Ukraine international left-back had surged down the left-wing past Iliman Ndiaye and dropped an excellent delivery into the perfect position in the penalty area.
Remarkably, it was just Mykolenko's second assist in the Premier League as an Everton player. His first came in February on what was his 100th appearance in the competition, as he set up Jake O’Brien's equaliser at Brentford.
In fairness to Mykolenko, his forays forward have been restricted from a tactical point of view. Under Sean Dyche, and playing alongside Dwight McNeil on the left, there was never a natural chemistry that allowed the left-back to venture into the final third. Plus, defensive cohesion was always the former manager's modus operandi.
And when the the 26-year-old did find himself in those advanced areas, the guile and incision has rarely been there with his final ball.
Under David Moyes there has was a noticeable change. Mykolenko was typically tasked with providing width on the left flank, allowing Ndiaye to drift infield to pick up possession.
It means that while Mykolenko still can be let down by his work with the ball, he is at least in position to have an impact on Everton's attack. By getting high and wide he creates space for the team's most gifted player.
"Moyes wants me to join in the attacks and he always says you not only have one job on the pitch, but two or three," Mykolenko said in May. "I'm trying to be my best not only in defence, but in attack as well.
"I like to play in attack and now, I'm working with the coaching staff and with the gaffer on that. I'm working individually with Billy (McKinlay) and I'm working with Leighton Baines in attack on training sessions and in defence, as well."
Regardless of your opinion on him as a player, Mykolenko fulfils a critical role in the Blues squad. Not only does he have solid attributes as a footballer, but bluntly, he is the club's only senior left-back.
Ashley Young did cover for him at times last season but has left, while Nathan Patterson started one game there last term against Arsenal. Still, make no mistake, Everton are light on the left.
It is curious then that the club have seemingly made right-back a priority. Everton reached a verbal agreement with Kenny Tete to join the club and tied down club captain Seamus Coleman to a new one-year deal. O'Brien was excellent at right-back last season, while Patterson remains in situ.
Yet links to left-backs have not been forthcoming. Of course, Moyes could potentially plug Patterson in to the position again, albeit it is an awkward fit. In a crisis, star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite could potentially play there too.
It is one gap among many that the Blues have to plug this summer. And with Mykolenko's contract set to expire at the end of next season, maybe one to address again further down the line too.
Moyes will be confident of getting more from Everton's number 19, certainly from an attacking perspective after a full pre-season. There have been small signs of progress from the player already in their time working together.
Moyes has been open about his ambition for in the near future though and he will want to see rapid progression.
If Mykolenko can't keep up with that, the Scot will want a left-back who can.