Everton has been more than happy to offload first-team players who are judged surplus to needs, with Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey falling victim to this newfound ruthlessness.
Kevin Thelwell is obviously leading this charge, willing to sacrifice all emotion in order to shape a brighter and more sustainable future for the Toffees.
It is the type of cutthroat decision-making that fans have long desired, but the director of football must use caution in his culling.
After all, a few places appear to have become a little thin on the ground and may require padding before the window slams shut.
However, one portion of the field may become much weaker.
Vitaliy Mykolenko linked with Everton exit
According to Italian outlet ArenaNapoli, Napoli could be on the verge of signing one of Sean Dyche’s first-team talents.
Given Everton’s interest in signing Jesper Lindstrom, it appears that opening this communication has aroused Antonio Conte’s curiosity, and he now wants one of the Toffees’ elite players in exchange.
After all, Vitaliy Mykolenko is precisely that; he made 28 Premier League games last season until being injured in the Merseyside derby late in the season, averaging 2.9 clearances and 5.1 ball recoveries per game.
According to the article, the club has ‘had touch’ with the player, who Conte wanted during his time at Inter Milan.
Another link comes from scout Maurizio Micheli, who has had a long-standing interest in the £17 million Ukraine International.
Fortunately, Dyche and Everton’s attitude on the problem is also clarified, as they indicate that they are not willing to sell and will do everything possible to keep the defender.
Everton cannot afford to lose their left-back
While the guy is a superb talent who has developed into one of Dyche’s most essential players, Everton cannot afford to weaken his position any further.
After all, the 25-year-old was a key player for the Toffees last season, and his absence created a major hole that few others could cover.
Godfrey and Ashley Young both tried their hardest to fill in for an awkward role, while Jarrad Brantwhaite was even briefly moved out of his starting position at centre-back to try to fill the vacuum.
From a guy that few at Goodison Park trusted to one of the division’s most reliable defenders. Everton cannot allow Napoli to sign the always improving Mykolenko from Merseyside.
