Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton fans are slightly concerned about the condition of Vitalii Mykolenko, after the full-back returned from international duty with an injury.
Vitalii Mykolenko only played one game for Ukraine during the break, before he sustained a leg injury. He was left out of the squad to face Georgia and Northern Ireland, and before the final game against Hungary, he was released back to Everton.
Andrea Maldera didn’t appear too concerned about the injury in terms of the severity. But we will now wait to see what David Moyes says about the player at his press conference on Friday.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could make a good replacement for Mykolenko if he cannot get fit in time for this Sunday’s Premier League game with Hull City.
But there might be another avenue for Moyes to go down after what Thomas Tuchel did for England.
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James Garner might be in Moyes’ thinking to replace Vitalii Mykolenko
Maitland-Niles would be the obvious player to choose to replace Mykolenko if he cannot play, having spent time on that side of the pitch during his Arsenal days. Jarrad Branthwaite is another option, but he has obviously been in excellent form in the middle next to James Tarkowski.
One alternative for Moyes could be to use Garner there, and the Scot will have just seen Thomas Tuchel deploy him there for England.
Garner replaced Elliot Anderson and played in midfield against Czechia on Tuesday. Interestingly, Garner then moved to left-back when Lewis Hall was replaced by Morgan Gibbs-White. This was despite Myles Lewis-Skelly still being on the pitch.
Against Croatia in the game before, Garner came on as a sub and played in midfield at first, but again operated at left-back when Hall came off for Lewis-Skelly.
Vitalii Mykolenko playing for Everton.
Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
We know that he can play in that role. Last season he played left-back a few times in the opening weeks of the campaign and did an excellent job.
So it may well be that Moyes, having seen Tuchel give Garner a refresher of the position, will turn to him if Mykolenko cannot play.
The downside of this would be that Everton’s midfield could lose a bit of creativity and endeavour, but Moyes does actually have someone waiting in the wings.
Garner shift could hand Hayden Hackney another chance
If Garner does move out of the midfield, then it would be interesting to see who Moyes would select to replace him.
Hayden Hackney has made a bright start to the new season and would perhaps be the first port of call. We all saw his brilliant impact off the bench against Manchester United, and he is clearly a forward-thinking midfielder who wants to break lines.
But Moyes also has Christian Norgaard back from injury and waiting to make his debut.
The experienced summer signing from Arsenal is lacking match sharpness, but could still be a temptation.