Everton have been more than willing to offload players from the first-team squad if they are deemed surplus to requirements, with Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey both falling foul of this newfound ruthlessness.
Kevin Thelwell is clearly spearheading this charge, happy to remove all sentimentality in order to forge a brighter and more sustainable future for the Toffees.
It is the kind of cutthroat decision-making that they have craved for some time, however the director of football will want to be careful that he is not too over-exuberant with his culling.
After all, there are a few positions that seem to have become a little thin on the ground already, and might need padding out before the window slams shut.
And yet, one particular area of the field could now inexplicably get even weaker…
Vitaliy Mykolenko linked with Everton exit
That’s according to Italian outlet ArenaNapoli, who are suggesting that Napoli could be set to secure the services of one of Sean Dyche’s first-team stars.
Given Everton are in talks over a move for Jesper Lindstrom, it seems opening up this communication has piqued the interest of Antonio Conte, who now wants one of the Toffees’ star men in return.
After all, Vitaliy Mykolenko is just that, and made 28 Premier League appearances last term before his injury in the Merseyside derby late in the campaign, and maintained 2.9 clearances and 5.1 ball recoveries per game.
The report states that the club has ‘had contact’ with the player, who Conte actually wanted during his spell at Inter Milan.
Another link comes through scout Maurizio Micheli, another who has held a long-term interest in the £17m Ukraine International.
Fortunately, Dyche and Everton’s stance on the matter is also outlined, as they suggest that they are not inclined to sell, and will do all they can to retain the defender.
Everton cannot afford to lose their left-back
Whilst just the player himself is a top talent, having developed into one of Dyche’s most important players, his particular position is one where Everton cannot afford to be further weakened.
After all, the 25-year-old was a mainstay last season for the Toffees, and when unavailable left a crisis vacancy that few others could fill.
Godfrey and Ashley Young both tried their best to deputise in an awkward role, whilst Jarrad Brantwhaite was even briefly pulled out of his starring position at centre-back to try and fill the void.
From a player that few around Goodison Park trusted to one of the division’s most defensively-sound defenders. Everton cannot allow Napoli to snag the ever-improving Mykolenko from Merseyside.
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