Everton’s tenure below Rafael Benitez is one which many followers will hope to swiftly forget, as he left the membership in disarray having offered two of their most artistic property in James Rodriguez and Lucas Digne.
To interchange the latter, the Spaniard opted for a little-known defender referred to as Vitaliy Mykolenko, signing the Ukrainian in a £20m deal in the beginning of 2022.
While struggling at first with the calls for of Premier League soccer, the 23-year-old has since develop into a defensively sound possibility for Frank Lampard. Nonetheless, for the reason that begin of the present marketing campaign, his offensive deficiencies have hampered his group at instances.
In distinction to the dynamic Nathan Patterson on the appropriate, Mykolenko is commonly sluggish in possession and infrequently pushes ahead.
As such, this season he has no targets or assists, whereas additionally averaging simply 0.3 dribbles and 0.7 correct crosses per sport (through Sofascore).
In an try to extend the attacking abilities in an Everton squad which has scored simply 11 instances in 15 league video games, evidently Lampard is reportedly set to maneuver for Sergio Akieme of UD Almeria.
The Spanish defender moved to Barcelona in 2019 when he was simply 21, which hints that he boasts nice technical prowess to be earmarked at such a younger age.
Throughout his time in Catalonia, Xavi Garcia Pimentia was stuffed with reward for the teenager, who he dubbed an “excellent signing”.
Like Mykolenko, the 25-year-old is but to score or set up a goal this time period, however he would possible supply an vitality from left-back which has not been seen at Everton since Digne departed.
He ranks within the prime 15% for each dribbles accomplished and whole pictures amongst positional friends in Europe’s prime 5 leagues in 2022, outlining his capacity to push ahead and supply an added menace.
Ought to he are available in and supply the ability wanted to bolster the Toffees’ attacking menace, it might lastly get Goodison Park rocking.
Who would you begin if Everton signal Akieme?
Vitaliy Mykolenko
Averaging the same number of crosses per sport as Mykolenko, Akieme is profitable in 63% of his dribbles to enrich his stable defensive numbers. He has recorded 1.5 clearances and 1.7 tackles per sport (through Sofascore) for a group sitting 14th in La Liga.
Though not an excellent improve, the potential stays excessive with the Almeria gem, who clearly confirmed one thing to encourage Barcelona to signal him initially.
Maybe he might realise this expertise on Merseyside, offering a extra attacking left-back possibility than the conservative Mykolenko.