Vitalii Mykolenko has been speaking about Everton homes old and new, as well as his and the team's form, during the international break
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Vitaliy Mykolenko in the tunnel at Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of Everton's Premier League match against Ipswich Town(Image: Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
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In-form Vitalii Mykolenko admits he misses the atmosphere at Goodison Park - and is hoping Everton can make their new Hill Dickinson Stadium even more like home this season.
The Blues made the move to the stunning 52,769-capacity ground on the Mersey waterfront after 133 years of football at historic Goodison.
Everton got off to a flying start at Hill Dickinson Stadium, winning two and drawing two of their first four Premier League matches there.
But they won just four more home games in the rest of the 2025-26 season with their form in front of their own supporters a big reason why the Blues missed out on a place in Europe.
David Moyes’ men have started the new 2026-27 campaign promisingly again at Hill Dickinson Stadium with 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town respectively being sandwiched between a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
And addressing the stadium move in an interview on the VZBIRNA YouTube channel, Mykolenko said: “Sometimes I miss the atmosphere at Goodison.
“But I wouldn’t say I miss our old home all that much, because this stadium is much newer and more comfortable.
“The first season at the new stadium wasn’t the best because we didn’t win many matches, but there is hope that we’ll secure more victories this season.”
Mykolenko was excellent as Everton beat Ipswich last time out and he has taken that form into the international arena.
The left-back helped Ukraine to a 1-0 Nations League win in Hungary on Friday as he enjoyed his fourth consecutive clean sheet for club and country.
Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary competes for the ball with Vitaliy Mykolenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Nations League match at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on September 25, 2026. (Photo by Robert Szaniszlo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and Everton left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko battle for the ball during the Nations League match at Puskas Arena in Budapest(Image: Robert Szaniszlo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Mykolenko struggled at times during pre-season but he has been a model of consistency since the real action got under way against Palace last month.
And, speaking in a separate interview with Setanta Sports, the 27-year-old said: “I feel great. I am experienced and now understand what experience is compared to when I was 20 years old playing for Dinamo Kiev.
“Sometimes you react to situations more calmly than you used to, both on the pitch and off, and physically I feel much better than I used to when I was young.
“When you are young, you have a lot of strength, but mentally, you approach all things much better, and physically you feel much better too. I started listening to my body much better than a few years ago and now I feel very, very good.”
The Blues have gone into the international break unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and sitting seventh in the early Premier League standings.
And looking to improve on back-to-back 13th-placed finishes, Mykolenko said: “I really hope so – that we’ll climb higher than in previous seasons.
“But if we are making progress, that’s already a good thing. Even moving up one or two spots each season is positive; it means we’re heading in the right direction.
“From what I see in the dressing room, this is probably the strongest squad I’ve been part of since I arrived at Everton.
“I’m really happy that we have such a balanced and competitive team- with healthy competition, that is. So, I have high hopes.”
The Blues return to action away to Hull City on Sunday, October 11.