Vitaliy Mykolenko is almost certain to stay at Everton for the upcoming season, with a new deal likely on the way to keep him at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While rumours previously linked the Ukrainian defender with a move to Italian side Roma, journalist Ihor Tsyganyk recently clarified that the player is prioritising his career on Merseyside over any other options. This is a big boost for Everton, especially since the 26-year-old has moved past previous injury troubles to become a steady presence in the backline throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Vitaliy Mykolenko set to secure Everton future
Stats from this season back up his reliability; he has started 28 Premier League matches and maintained a solid 6.86 average rating. Although he has only one assist and no goals this term, his defensive numbers show exactly what he brings to David Moyes’ side. He has racked up 43 tackles and 26 interceptions across 2,510 minutes of league play, helping the Toffees pick up nine clean sheets.
On top of that, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 0.29 show he still provides a threat when pushing forward from left-back. Because his previous deal was nearing its end, Everton reportedly triggered a one-year extension to keep him until 2027, though talks for a longer agreement are expected this summer so he doesn’t enter his final year.
Does retaining Mykolenko signal a shift in Everton’s long-term recruitment strategy?
Locking down Mykolenko’s future is a calculated move by the Everton board to favour squad continuity over the typical gamble of the transfer market. The club sit 10th in the Premier League, having recently lost 1-2 to Liverpool but bouncing back with a 3-0 win over Chelsea earlier this spring.
By making a move to tie down a 26-year-old international who has already played over 130 games for the club, the hierarchy is acknowledging that a stable defence is the only way for David Moyes to break into the top half of the table.
Deciding to offer a new deal rather than selling him to Bournemouth or Italian clubs suggests the club are moving away from the frantic selling seen in past financial cycles. Instead, the Toffees are building around a core of dependable players, making sure the move into their new stadium happens with a reliable and experienced roster.
Fans can take this as a good sign of the club’s financial health and competitive drive. Ultimately, Mykolenko is a key part of the defence, and keeping him ensures Everton enter their next phase with a proven Premier League talent on the left flank.
