Vitalii Mykolenko is surely finished at Everton after what happened in loss vs Sunderland
Vitalii Mykolenko’s future at Everton has been under scrutiny in recent months ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.
The Ukraine international has been a reliable figure for the Toffees in the Premier League in recent years, but the writing could now be on the wall for him after events that took place in their FA Cup defeat to Sunderland.
Everton fans tore into Tyler Dibling for his role in the defeat, as their team were beaten on penalties following a 1-1 draw, and failed to score any of their three spot-kicks in the shootout.
Mykolenko played 104 minutes for David Moyes’ side during the encounter, and there is sure to be serious scrutiny on his place in the team moving forward.
Adam Aznou ready to take Vitalii Mykolenko’s starting spot
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in September that Adam Aznou’s arrival at Everton could pave the way for Mykolenko’s exit.
Aznou arrived from Bayern Munich in the summer and has had to bide his time during his first few months in English football, but he finally got his first taste of senior football at Everton in the defeat to Sunderland.
The left-back came on in place of Merlin Rohl in the 86th minute and delivered an eye-catching display that has had fans gushing on social media.
| Stats | Aznou Total |
| Minutes | 34 |
| Touches | 24 |
| Accurate Passes | 6/7 (86%) |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/3 (33%) |
| Duels Won | 5/8 (62.5%) |
| Free Kicks Won | 3 |
The Moroccan won the 89th-minute penalty for James Garner to convert to send the game into extra-time, before providing a huge creative threat on the left flank throughout the additional period.
Aznou’s electric display should be enough to convince Moyes that he is ready to play a more regular role in the second half of the season.
His performance could have also set the cogs in motion for Mykolenko’s departure as a free agent, given that a younger and more exciting option has now announced himself at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The bizarre reason behind Aznou’s lack of football at Everton
Aznou has been on the fringes at Everton since his arrival, and fans have every right to be questioning why after the impact that he made on Saturday.
The 19-year-old has been limited to appearances for the U21 side in the Vertu Trophy and the National League Cup, which certainly isn’t what would have been expected when the Merseysiders shelled out £8million to sign him in the summer.
Moyes suggested after the Sunderland defeat that he and his coaching staff had been waiting for Aznou to develop physically before throwing him into the fold.
However, that is a bizarre decision considering that Everton’s lack of defensive depth has resulted in Garner having to fill both full-back positions at times this term.
With Aznou having made a significant impression with his cameo this weekend, Moyes will surely involve him more often moving forward, and if displays of that quality continue, then the future looks bleak for Mykolenko.