Everton Want New Left-Back in January as Moyes Presses Board

Mykolenko Injury Exposes Thin Squad

David Moyes is reportedly urging Everton’s hierarchy to sign a left-back in the January transfer window, with Vitaliy Mykolenko’s injury highlighting a worrying lack of cover. Football Insider claims the manager has grown increasingly uneasy about his full-back options.

Mykolenko is the only natural left-back in the senior squad, and he missed the draw with Hull City. That forced Moyes to deploy Jarrad Branthwaite out wide, a stopgap rather than a sustainable answer.

Summer Decisions Under Scrutiny

The situation has revived questions over the decision to loan Adam Aznou to Malaga without bringing in a replacement. Moyes is said to regard that as a mistake, particularly as Everton were linked with several left-backs in the summer without completing a deal.

Everton did improve their right-back depth with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but the imbalance on the opposite flank remains. It is also not the first time full-back issues have troubled Moyes, who spent much of last season searching for solutions on the right.

January Priority for the Toffees

A natural left-back would offer immediate cover and allow Branthwaite to focus on his preferred centre-back role, where he is too valuable to be moved regularly. Mykolenko’s recovery timeline remains unclear, but the episode strengthens the case for acting in the winter window.

Our Take

Relying on one specialist left-back across a gruelling campaign is a gamble Everton can ill afford. Whatever the board decides, recruiting early in January would give Moyes far more options than waiting for another injury to force his hand.