Everton are interested in a deal for Dynamo Kiev left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko.
The 22-year-old could potentially come in as a replacement for Lucas Digne, who was recently dropped for two games by Rafael Benitez and then was declared unavailable for Thursday’s draw at Chelsea because of illness.
The Frenchman’s departure would more than likely go some way to funding the purchase of Mykolenko, with the fee expected to be in the region of £20million in order to secure his services.
Although just 22, Mykolenko is already a full Ukraine international and has been a key player both domestically and in European competition for Dynamo since his debut back in 2017.
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His performances during that period have seen him linked with other big European clubs, including Manchester United who reportedly almost bought the defender before signing Alex Telles instead in the summer of 2020.
In terms of a profile, he differs from Digne. He’s taller at 5ft11in, and looks more dominant based on the defensive aspects of the game - something that no doubt appeals to Benitez.
Last season he averaged a defensive duel success rate of 70%. In comparison, Digne’s success rate last season was much lower at just 58%.
But the Everton man holds an advantage in terms of attacking returns, no doubt helped by the fact he took a lot of the Blues set-pieces. He managed seven assists last season from an almost identical Expected Assist (xA) total.
So far this season, Mykolenko has managed three assists, whilst last season he secured only two, a fair return from his combined xA of 2.77.
However, like we’ve seen with Digne this season, that low return could be as a consequence of the role he has within the Dynamo side, expected to pick and choose moments in which to push forward, rather than marauding up the line with every attack.
Another big difference between the two players is their age. Mykolenko is of course six years Digne’s junior, and for a number of years, Everton fans have been crying out to see the club operate more efficiently in the market. Selling players in their prime at a profit and bringing in younger prospects to replace them is one potential tactic.
At this stage, there’s too many unknowns to determine whether this is the case here. Is the move part of a wider recruitment plan, or simply as a consequence of the apparent breakdown in relationship between Benitez and Digne?
Yet either by design or by chance, if Mykolenko can replicate Digne’s influence on the team, and if the Frenchman’s imminent sale can fund the cost of the move, then it could prove to be a good piece of business by the Toffees.
