Everton have officially announced an extended contract for Ukrainian left back Vitalii Mykolenko today, a move that has been rumored for the past several weeks.
Mykolenko, who just turned 27 a few days ago, joined Everton in January of 2022 from Dynamo Kyiv, replacing fan-favorite Lucas Digne in a move that was considered quite unfavorable to the Toffees at the time.
This was not necessarily a shot at the Ukrainian directly, but many looked at Digne as the ideal move after Leighton Baines retired, as the Frenchman was adept both defensively and in making runs forward into the attack. Like the current Everton assistant coach, Digne's left foot was magic.
With Mykolenko, that is considerably less the case. He's often been stout defensively, but he lacks top-end pace and quickness to stick with wingers in the Premier League who do possess those characteristics.
This leads to the defender often being removed from the attack altogether to avoid being caught out, a notion that comes from an antiquated way of viewing the fullback position.
Given Everton's role in helping to usher in the attacking fullback to the modern game via Baines and Seamus Coleman, it's a shame to see the club going completely against that way of thinking in recent years.
And that's the concern with a new three-year deal that will keep Mykolenko at Everton until June 2029. His profile isn't a surprise, and even at his age, he's unlikely to suddenly turn into a plus player in the attack.
Sure, he's occasionally capable of a reasonable cross, but his left foot isn't consistent enough to be a weapon like it was for Baines and Digne. What's more, the defending, while sometimes brilliant, isn't always, leaving Everton in a state of mediocrity at the position.
This, of course, is exacerbated by the fact that David Moyes also employs an out-of-position center back as Mykolenko's opposite, thereby neutering the entire team with fullbacks who can't get forward.
If this ends up being a move that allows Mykolenko to stay on as a depth piece down the line, then this isn't the worst move Everton can make. They were unlikely to turn over the entire squad this summer.
But it feels more like Moyes locking down the players he trusts for the long haul, something you hope won't hamstring the club going forward.
This can't be at the expense of improving at left back, because if it is, then this isn't a good move at all for Everton.
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