Everton’s resurgence is owed to a few key figures, with none more important than Sean Dyche.
His work in engineering the Toffees’ return to form has been nothing short of sensational, and in doing so he has taken a number of players under his wing and progressed them too.
After all, the 52-year-old needed to maintain a higher level of form if they were to be comfortably clear of the drop this season, which they would surely have achieved if not for their points deduction.
Whilst many might rush to laud Abdoulaye Doucoure as the spearhead of this comeback, or even Jarrad Branthwaite for his immediate impact at the back, Vitaliy Mykolenko has silently enjoyed one of the finest resurgences in the club’s recent history.
Having joined for £17m under Rafa Benitez, the Ukraine international was tasked with replacing a well-liked Lucas Digne, who had been the creative backbone of the team.
It has seemingly taken until now to start playing to his strengths, with the left-back since becoming an integral figure in a side that has lost just three in their last 11 games across all competitions.
However, such is his mindset, he is far from satisfied. He would tell Everton’s official website, when asked if he is pleased with conceding just 20 goals this campaign: ‘It might be an okay record on paper but I don’t think that record is good enough, as a defender. We are conceding more than a goal a game so it is not good enough. We need to do better.’
How good has Vitaliy Mykolenko been for Everton?
To best exemplify his progress, it is worth viewing how his average Sofascore rating has progressed during his three seasons in Merseyside.
Posting a 6.77 average rating last campaign, his first full one with Everton, that has since risen to a 7.13 rating this season.
Such an upturn is unsurprising though, given how the £58k-per-week ace has finally been placed in a system that allows him to flex his defensive muscles.
It is a testament to those talents that the 24-year-old now boasts the second-most tackles per game in the entire Premier League, whilst also managing 5.8 ball recoveries and 2.9 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
In fact, when compared to other full-backs across Europe, he actually sits in the top 1% for the latter per 90.
Mykolenko’s revival, from offensive dud and defensive liability into a goalscoring stalwart, is remarkable. Should he maintain such form, and keep the same mindset that is suggesting he must keep improving, who knows how high he might fly.
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