Vitaliy Mykolenko put in a shocking performance for Everton last night as Chris Smith highlighted some worrying stats.
Mykolenko was a January arrival under the watchful eye of former Everton boss Rafael Benitez but has managed to maintain his place in the team under Frank Lampard. although last night wasn’t his best performance.
The Ukrainian international was handed a 6/10 rating for his display against Newcastle United last night and it’s no surprise given he failed to complete a single cross or long pass and also failed to create a single chance while registering just 19 touches in the opposition’s box.
This is what has left Smith far from impressed by the defender’s latest display.
‘Mykolenko completed just 1/11 progressive passes & 1/6 final third passes last night – 0/1 crosses – 0/4 long passes – 0 chances created – Only 19/64 touches in Newcastle’s half. Absolutely love him as a defender but he’s plainly not offering anything in attack’
is Mykolenko good enough for Everton?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Mykolenko’s Everton form…
One of the reasons why Mykolenko may be putting in poor performances such as last night is because he has no real competition in his position, with Ruben Vinagre the only option and he’s only been handed 24 minutes of league action this season.
Therefore, if Everton are to keep players on their toes and improve their own game, they need to have at least two competent players in each position to ensure some don’t start resting on their laurels.
In a game that some Evertonians may well have expected something from given, they beat Newcastle last time the two faced off, to see one of their players register such poor stats will make the result very difficult to take.