Dwight McNeil for Everton
Dwight McNeil for Everton
There’s no denying that Everton have fallen way below expectations over recent years, with the Toffees failing to finish in the top half in any of the last five Premier League seasons.
David Moyes’ men looked as though a top-half finish was on the cards last term, but a run of seven games without a win at the end of 2025/26 ended such chances.
As a result, the supporters have grown frustrated at the lack of progress after moving to the Hill Dickinson, with the club desperately needing to return to European football.
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match
The club have certainly been guilty of keeping hold of players who are no longer at the level required, as seen with one player who has recently departed Merseyside.
Why Everton kept hold of McNeil for too long
In the summer of 2022, Everton fans were no doubt excited by the prospect of Dwight McNeil featuring for the club after joining from Burnley for a reported £30m.
The Englishman was seen as a Premier League-proven star to help push the Toffees in the right direction and help the club mount a push towards European football.
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton
However, it’s safe to say the 26-year-old massively struggled to meet expectations on Merseyside, subsequently scoring just 15 times in his 130 senior appearances.
His tally of seven goals in his debut campaign was as good as it got for the winger, with the former Clarets man unable to better such a tally during his remaining three years on Merseyside.
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Dwight McNeil - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Crosses completed
Chances created
Big chances created
Dribbles completed
Aerials won
McNeil’s failure to score a single goal during the 2025/26 campaign highlights his struggles at the club, but somehow often saw him included in Moyes’ starting eleven.
He was finally sold during the recent summer transfer window, subsequently joining Crystal Palace in a swap deal with Brennan Johnson moving in the opposite direction.
However, the decision to allow him to depart for pastures new was one that ultimately came too late, with the club needing to cash in on his services way before his eventual sale.
Why one Everton star is becoming the next McNeil
The current Everton squad is one that is still in desperate need of reinforcements in the near future if they are to achieve success and end their decade-long wait for European football.
Numerous players are unfortunately similar to McNeil - in the fact they have been good servants to the Toffees, but are no longer able to contribute in a positive manner.
McNeil
The club have arguably been way too lenient in that regard, which has seen left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko become another player who has undoubtedly outstayed his welcome on Merseyside.
The 27-year-old has spent the last four and a half years with the Toffees, after joining from homeland club Dynamo Kyiv for a reported £18m in January 2022.
He’s since racked up 165 appearances since his subsequent transfer, but has often struggled to make the desired impact within the final third of the pitch.
David-Moyes-Everton
Mykolenko has only registered nine combined goals and assists during his time at the club, subsequently providing a goal contribution once every 18 games he features in.
Even in defensive areas, the Ukrainian international has also struggled to deliver - as seen by the figures he’s produced during the early stages of the 2026/27 campaign.
The full-back has already been dribbled past 1.3 times per 90 in the Premier League this season, with such a tally higher than 85% of other defenders in the division.
Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko
Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko
He’s also managed to regain possession just 0.5 times per 90 in the opening four games of the campaign - also placing below 70% of full-backs in England’s top-flight.
To make matters worse for Mykolenko, he’s earned a reported £19m in wages since his arrival, which has seen the total cost of his deal rise to around the £37m mark.
There's no denying he’s failed to deliver and justify such a price tag, with the hierarchy needing to move the 27-year-old on in the future and invest in a talented full-back.
He’s starting to follow down a similar path to that of McNeil on Merseyside, as he’s subsequently been a solid squad option but he’s not a player who’s at the level needed to push the Toffees forward.
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