Sherrif Tiraspol coach Yuriy Vernydub has named Everton’s Premier League newcomer Vitaliy Mykolenko as one of his dream signings, speaking via FanDay.
You have to feel for Mykolenko.
Less than a month into his Everton career, he must already be wondering what he’s let himself in for.
An £18 million signing from Dynamo Kiev, Mykolenko was brought in as a replacement for fans’ favourite Lucas Digne.
Stepping into Digne’s shoes is a daunting enough challenge. Now, the 22-year-old also has to contend with winning over a new manager.
Less ‘thrown in at the deep end’, more chucked into the middle of the Pacific Ocean with only a tatty old dinghy for company.
The coach who brought Mykolenko to Goodison Park, Rafa Benitez, was sacked following that dismal, rock-bottom defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Though given that Mykolenko is the only natural, first-team left-back in Everton’s squad these days – a fact that reflects rather damningly on the club’s baffling approach to recruitment – the Ukraine international should still have plenty of chances to make a name for himself whoever takes Benitez’s place on the bench, be Wayne Rooney, Roberto Martinez or Lucien Favre.
Vernydub would love to work with Mykolenko at Sherrif Tiraspol. He is, however, little more than a pipe dream for a club who stunned Real Madrid in the Champions League group-stages.
Can Vitaliy Mykolenko replace Lucas Digne at Everton?
“Mykolenko; Well, he’s a great player. I just want him to succeed,” Vernydub says when asked to name his dream signings.
He has also been scouted by Liverpool in the past.
Ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa, interim coach Duncan Ferguson will be hoping that Mykolenko’s second Premier League appearance goes rather better than his first.
The youngster struggled to deal with the hard-running Josh Sergeant at Norwich against Norwich. He very nearly gifted the Canaries a third goal too, with a horrible back-pass.
Digne certainly leaves big boots to fill.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
