David Moyes failed to confirm that Vitalii Mykolenko would be staying at Everton when asked about the Ukraine international in his press conference on Friday.
The Everton No.16 sees his contract expire at the end of the season, and when the Glaswegian was asked whether the left-back would stay, he said: “I’ve actually not put myself on to thinking about the people who are within the building. I’m actually beginning to start thinking about what we’re going to get from outside the building at the moment, what we might need to do.
“The truth is I’ve not got my head on it yet.”
It was hardly the most definitive response from David Moyes – but Vitalii Mykolenko proved he is worth keeping at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a strong display up against Bukayo Saka on Saturday evening.
Who was your Man of the Match in what was a positive performance? 👏
The players deserved so much more… 😡
Michael Keane in action for Everton during a Premier League clash against Arsenal
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Vitalii Mykolenko shows he belongs at Everton with impressive display against Arsenal
The Toffees were unfortunate to fall to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Only a late strike from Viktor Gyokeres – following a miscommunication inside the box from Everton’s backline – put Arsenal ahead in the 89th minute, before desperation saw Jordan Pickford go up for a corner and allow Max Dowman to tap into an empty net in the 97th minute.
There were few in blue who played poorly, and Mykolenko was one who delivered a solid display just a day after Moyes failed to confirm whether or not he would be getting a new contract.
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The Ukrainian largely kept Saka quiet, limiting the Arsenal No.7 to just one successful dribble and one cross throughout 90 minutes on the pitch as the Everton defender won both of his attempted tackles.
Mykolenko also made three interceptions and two clearances, according to Sofascore.
Statistic Amount
Tackles 2
Interceptions 3
Clearances 2
Accurate Passes 26/40
Pass Accuracy 65%
Free-kicks Won 1
The man born in Cherkasy did start to struggle after the 16-year-old Dowman came on in the 74th minute, delivering the cross for the opener down his side and also shoving him off the ball before eventually scoring the second.
Everton could still find an upgrade on Mykolenko this summer, and that seems to be the plan as The Friedkin Group monitor Myles Lewis-Skelly and others.
Vitaliy Mykolenko’s contract expires in the summer, what should Everton do with him? 🤔
Offer him a new deal? Let him go for free? Sell him in January?
Vitalii Mykolenko of Everton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington
However, this performance from the 26-year-old was good enough to show he deserves to stay at Everton, at least as a backup option.
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