£58k-a-week Everton star rated as best in his position in entire Premier League

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Few could have predicted the resurgence that Everton have recently enjoyed, with the form a stark contrast from the struggles endured over the last two years.

However, it is something which Sean Dyche ensured would come eventually, with his prediction now ringing true as they sit 14th in the Premier League having established a healthy gap between themselves and the relegation strugglers.

Whilst many might rush to praise Jarrad Branthwaite and Abdoulaye Doucoure for ushering in that turnaround, there is another who goes under the radar for his performances despite impressing most weeks.

It is only now that he has added a scoring touch to his game that Vitaliy Mykolenko is being lauded, with the Ukraine international finally earning the recognition he deserves despite being questioned for venturing that far forward on Saturday.

Having endured a torrid start to life at Goodison Park, brought in under Rafa Benitez and misused for much of his tenure, at last the former Burnley boss seems to understand his role.

Never likely to post blistering attacking figures, he has instead leaned on his solidity whilst also giving him some license to push forward when possible.

This has culminated in the most unlikely of comeback stories, with WhoScored even taking to Twitter to state: ‘Vitalii Mykolenko (7.31) is the highest rated left-back in the Premier League this season’.

Is Vitaliy Mykolenko the best left-back in the Premier League?

Whilst many might laugh off such a notion, on form it would be hard to draw up anyone who can compare with the 24-year-old.

After all, his goals against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace came immediately after he had kept Mohamed Salah and Jarrod Bowen silent in the weeks prior, showcasing the full range of his newfound skillset.

As such, in the league the £58k-per-week stalwart is averaging an admirable 0.5 key passes per game, but blends that with 3.3 clearances, four tackles and 5.8 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

In fact, only Jack Robinson has recorded more clearances when comparing his figures to other full-backs, with his tackles per game only bettered by Joao Palhinha in the entire division.

Defensively, there are few as prolific as Mykolenko, who is enjoying the form of his career thus far with Everton. Pundit Sue Smith would wax lyrical about the defneder live on Soccer Saturday (11/11/23, 5.57pm), noting: ‘Mykolenko’s been excellent. Obviously two goals, but the way that he performed against Mo Salah, it was always going to be difficult and he was excellent against him. [And] the way that he performed against Bowen.’

The only hope is that he can maintain it for the full campaign and prove that perhaps he is in with a shout for such a title, despite competition from the likes of Andy Robertson, Pervis Estupinan and Oleksandr Zinchenko.