Everton defender Vitality Mykolenko has detailed the gruelling pre-season that David Moyes put them through this year and insisted that this is the best Everton team he’s played in so far.
Setanta Sports have an interview with the full-back in which he discusses various aspects of Everton. That includes naming the teammates he’d be putting in his Fantasy Team selection.
The defender is heading into another season in which he will be the first choice left-back for the Toffees. In fact, he is the only left-back following Adam Aznou’s loan move to Malaga.
Hard pre-season
He’ll be hoping to help the Toffees bounce back from a disappointing end to last season that saw David Moyes’ side miss out on Europe in the final seven games of the season.
Moyes is in charge for his second full season after returning in January 2025. Although, it could be argued this is his first proper season given the state the club was in behind the scenes last summer. This year is certainly the one in which the Scot will be judged most harshly.
And Mykolenko says he’s already put them through a gruelling pre-season campaign to ensure they’re ready.
“They were tough,” Mykolenko said when asked about the ‘training camps’.
“I wouldn’t say they were the hardest of my life, perhaps, but certainly not easy. Compared to the two pre-season camps – last year’s and this year’s -this one was much harder.
“That’s likely because last year we were in Scotland, then had a week of training here in Liverpool, and then flew to America to play matches.
“This season, we spent more time in Germany, I think, and focused more on physical conditioning. When you put in four solid weeks of physical work, it’s tough, but as an experienced footballer, I understand that it will really help by the end of the season.”
Strongest squad yet
The current mood at Everton is a difficult one following a challenging and chaotic end to the summer transfer window.
The Blues were left with a squad of just 18 after a deadline day move for Folarin Balogun fell through, while several players also departed. Their summer long search for a long-term right-back didn’t go a many had predicted either.
Instead, reports have indicated that owners – the Friedkins – elected to pull money last minute rather than further invest. That’s left Everton with a squad most believe will struggle.
Players such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have already rallied against that idea. Now Mykolenko insists he sees positives as well.
“I really hope so – that we’ll climb higher than in previous seasons,” he added.
“But if we are making progress, that’s already a good thing. Even moving up one or two spots each season is positive; it means we’re heading in the right direction.
“From what I see in the dressing room, this is probably the strongest squad I’ve been part of since I arrived at Everton. I’m really happy that we have such a balanced and competitive team- with healthy competition, that is. So, I have high hopes.”
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💬 “There’s been a constant stream of messages and calls with the Friedkins today. They may be quiet types, but they are deeply involved in this challenge – emotionally, too.”
👀 Plus… a wild rumour has emerged about why…— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 11, 2026
