Everton have been linked with a January move for Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly after Thomas Tuchel’s comments about him not making the England squad – and that could spark real doubts over Vitaliy Mykolenko’s future.
Vitaliy Mykolenko has been Everton’s first-choice left-back since January 2022, when Lucas Digne departed for Aston Villa. However, despite only missing 28 Premier League games since he joined almost four years ago, Mykolenko has registered just four goals and two assists in the top-flight.
An upgrade is needed, and with Mykolenko’s contract running out at the end of season, there is every chance that there will be a change-up on the left-hand side of the pitch either in January, or in the summer transfer window.
And, although Mykolenko has admitted he’d like to stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, links to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly could spell the beginning of the end of the Ukrainian.
Vitaliy Mykolenko warming up for Everton.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Mykolenko’s Everton future looks uncertain if Lewis-Skelly joins
Everton have struggled up front this season, but full-back is also an area in which they need to improve.
Jake O’Brien has been deployed as a right-back despite being a natural centre-half, with Nathan Patterson’s injury woes and Seamus Coleman’s old age putting David Moyes in a predicament.
But away from those two glaring errors of improvement, Mykolenko hasn’t quite pulled his weight in recent times.
Moyes has already called upon Mykolenko to create more from full-back, but he’s not doing so.
Season Premier League games Premier League contributions
2021-22 13 1
2022-23 34 0
2023-24 28 2
2024-25 35 3
2025-26 8 0
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A move for Lewis-Skelly would present a double-edged sword. On a positive note, the Arsenal youngster would be an upgrade on Mykolenko and it would lead Everton into a much-better rounded squad for the second half of the campaign.
Yet on the other hand, it would mean Mykolenko’s value would rapidly diminish with his contract running out. Everton would want to keep Mykolenko as a backup in that case, but convincing him to stay at the club as a backup option could be easier said than done if he’s not getting minutes.
It may well be that Everton look to offer Mykolenko a new contract prior to then looking for a move for Lewis-Skelly. It’s incredibly unlikely that the England teen would remain on Merseyside at the end of his loan and Everton, and so if they loan him in and ultimately signal to Mykolenko that his stint is over, it would mean bringing another two left-backs up to speed in the summer if Adam Aznou hasn’t adapted.
Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
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Darren Bent has urged Myles Lewis-Skelly to join Everton in the January transfer window
If Lewis-Skelly does depart Arsenal on loan in the January transfer window, then there is no doubting that a whole host of teams will be queuing up to secure his signature.
If World Cup minutes are on his agenda, then featuring behind Riccardo Calafiori isn’t the brightest move and a temporary switch – at least while the Italian is blossoming at the Emirates Stadium.
And Darren Bent added to that fact on talkSPORT on Wednesday evening. Speaking live on the radio show, host Andy Goldstein asked: “Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are monitoring Myles Lewis-Skelly’s situation.
“Thomas Tuchel said he needs more minutes to be considered for his squad. If you are him, where are you going?”
And Bent duly replied: “Probably Everton.”
If Mykolenko’s future isn’t wrapped up by the January window, it could lead to a move for the England youngster.
And, with Jack Grealish also vying for a spot in the England side, the two could work in tandem. If they both excel under one another’s playing styles, it could work miracles for the duo in terms of a place on the plane to North America.