Chelsea loss a reminder of Everton's full-back failings | OneFootball

David Moyes was arguably one of the pioneers of utilising attacking full-backs in the Premier League.

Leighton Baines and, later on, Seamus Coleman, helped transform Everton in the latter days of Moyes’s first spell in charge into a slick attacking unit that the Scotsman never at times got the credit for.

Yet fast-forward over a decade, and Everton’s full-backs are, from an attacking perspective, well behind those of most other teams they are competing against. And for fresh evidence, look no further than Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Everton went to Stamford Bridge full of confidence. They had claimed victories at Old Trafford and the Vitality Stadium in their last two away games, ending long winless runs at both of those grounds.

They had bounced Nottingham Forest, and former boss Sean Dyche, 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Chelsea were winless in four games in all competitions.

Everton knew a win would have taken them as high as 4th place; instead, the wait for a first league win at Stamford Bridge since 1994 will roll on.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the driving force of Everton’s strong run, went off injured within the opening 15 minutes but, despite missing their key midfielder, it was instead Everton’s full-back issues that were shown up once again.

Vitalii Mykolenko has now been a Premier League regular for well over three seasons, but his attacking limitations are clear.

However, Jarrad Branthwaite’s absence this campaign has also hinted that, without that recovery pace in the centre of defence, Mykolenko is beginning to struggle in one-v-one situations; scenarios that, previously, the Ukrainian had stood up well in.

Yet against Chelsea, Mykolenko was at least partially at fault for both of their goals. He did not follow Cole Palmer’s run for Chelsea’s opener, and was then unable to deal with Pedro Neto’s quick feet and rapid turn of pace for Malo Gusto’s goal.

Mykolenko did, in fairness, look to get beyond both Jack Grealish and, later Iliman Ndiaye, as Everton pressed to get back into the contest, and at one stage he made a surging run into Chelsea’s area and found Carlos Alcaraz, whose shot was blocked by Trevoh Chalobah.

The issue is, though, opposition defences know that Mykolenko is no real threat. He is not likely to deliver a killer cross or precise cutback. After all, this is a player with just two Premier League assists in 123 appearances.

But it is not just Mykolenko who is becoming a problem.

Everton’s failure to bring in a right-back has become a running joke among the fanbase, and fairly so. It was bizarre that they failed to address such a clear issue in the last transfer window, especially given they were close to making Kenny Tete their first signing of the summer until he elected to sign a new deal at Fulham instead.

Jake O’Brien filled in admirably in the role last term, and it was a testament to Moyes’s management that he found a way to fit the Irish international into the team. But O’Brien is no right-back. He is a centre-back, as demonstrated by his excellent performance in that position at Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago.

O’Brien makes positive runs, he does look to get forward. But his deliveries, as would be expected for a six-foot-six centre-back playing out of position, are inconsistent.

There is a time and a place for O’Brien to slot in at right-back, but he should not be asked to do it week-in & week-out.

While O’Brien and Mykolenko toiled, on the flip side, Chelsea right-back Gusto demonstrated all the qualities that a full-back should be offering — he scored and assisted and floated infield. On the other side, Marc Cucurella largely locked down Ndiaye.

It is a shame that, due to injuries, suspensions and the departure of Idrissa Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations, Moyes has not been able to continue giving more minutes to James Garner at right-back.

Garner has looked the most natural fit there. His use of the ball is excellent, his ability to drift infield naturally can create overloads in the centre of the park, and he has a crossing prowess that worries opposition defences.

But even that is not the ideal fix — Garner is, at the end of the day, a midfielder, and a very capable one at that.

The January transfer window will soon be on us and, while Everton will not be able to get everything they need, strengthening the full-back area is a must, even if just on a temporary basis.

Adam Aznou needs patience, and probably a loan — he is further behind in his development than first thought. Nathan Patterson’s race is run at Everton and the Scotland international should have been allowed to leave in the summer. Seamus Coleman’s body cannot keep up with the rigours of Premier League football.

And while Everton look well placed to be safely clear of danger this season, they have put themselves into a position that they should now be looking to build on in a season that is wide open, due to the congested nature of the Premier League table.

A new full-back, even just one to offer balance to either side, really could make all the difference.

Reader Comments (31)

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Christy Ring 1 Posted 16/12/2025 at 21:24:50

Very good article, Patric.

As you said, O'Brien was excellent in his proper position at Bournemouth, his pace, touch and height are badly missed in the centre.

Our centre-backs are too slow -- that's why we're so deep and on the back foot.

Mark Murphy 2 Posted 16/12/2025 at 21:48:35

We have no genuine right-back and our left-back is stuttering. O'Brien plays better in his best position.

So go back three of:O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, with wing-backs:Garner and McNeil;Centre midfield of Iroegbunam and AlcarazForwards: Dibling, Barry, Grealish.

Just an idea.

Paul Murray 3 Posted 16/12/2025 at 21:58:40

I agree with most of that, Mark.

Definitely Jake in his best position at centre-back and for this game a 3 at the back.

I'd drop both the strikers -- they are both dogshit and never will make Premier League strikers two goals between them this season is a disgrace with the amount of chances we have created more a less every game.

I'd play Charly Alcaraz as a striker or false 9; he won't do any worse. As for Barry being very young -- he's actually older than Charly. Bambi and Bambier are clueless.

Mark Murphy 5 Posted 17/12/2025 at 07:09:00

Annika - for clarity, I was only talking about the Arsenal game, not long term.

And even then, that's only if Grealish is fully fit. If he isn't, we should save him for the FA Cup game and play the “usual” back four.

Mal van Schaick 6 Posted 17/12/2025 at 12:18:24

I could have sworn that we signed a full-back last summer. Nowhere to be seen?

Buy or loan some full-backs in January.

Minik Hansen 7 Posted 17/12/2025 at 14:28:04

3 at the back three seasons ago is still a nightmare, it just didn't work. Hey, who knows with Branthwaite, O'brien and Tarkowski..

Sort the midfield out, and we won't need to talk about 3 at the back. I hope to God Röhl will recover, and show us why we bought him.

Conor McCourt 8 Posted 17/12/2025 at 14:54:40

A typical toffeeeweb article nowadays designed for the sheep to weigh in. Thankfully not many on this thread can be labelled in that category.

Patric in his wisdom has irrefutably labelled Myko with sole responsibility for that first goal. Personally I don't even give partial blame but the fact he absolves Gueye especially and Keane suggests he is trying to play to the gallery and make justification for this pathetic article.

Mykolenko is certainly not a top class full back, attack wise he is a limited footballer, of that there is no dispute. But in my opinion he has been head and shoulders our best defender this season. In fact it's not even close.

He has come up against the majority of teams most dangerous player whether that be Mbuemo, Salah, Wilson or Semenyo and always come out in top. The one time he hasn't is against Neto who has blistering speed and skill, a combination which is the most likely to find Myko out.

This constant narrative about Myko is one which has been perpetuated by that numpty Ped on Everton TV. The hilarious thing was after he destroyed the player he read out his stats for the game. Won 5 out of 7 duels, blah blah blah. He almost stopped reading them and dismissed them as they totally countered his argument.

Even if Patric gets his way and we get a modern full back in January will that improve the team. Kirkez was one of the best last season and he is complicit every week. Truffert is excellent going forward but again is powder puff defensively. Careful what you wish for.

It's funny that the best team in the league play with Calafori, while City won titles using Ake and Gvardiiol. No great assist makers there. Grealish hugs the touchline so would a modern full back be made redundant anyway?

Perhaps Patric you could have asked does playing Keane hinder us?

Is Gueye the force of old?

Is Grealish influence on the wane?

Is Moyes approach to the 2nd half a reason why we are 0-5 with the Champions League teams with an aggregate of 1-13 goals.

Is the formation Moyes used against Chelsea symptomatic of why we are one of the worst teams in the league for chance creation and shots on goal?

This Chelsea game could have brought up so many questions or articles.

Myko got embarrassed by Neto just as Garner got done twice at Fulham. The difference no goal came from it. Likewise Myko skinned Gusto however Chalobah bailed him out with the block on Alcaraz.

However Garner rightly got the plaudits for his performance, no one even mentioned it.

After every game this lad gets hammered yet even the other day it was him driving forward in the last ten minutes giving everything to get a result.

9 Posted 17/12/2025 at 16:03:44

I kinda sorta agree, Conor.

As I played left-back all my life, I always watch ours when I'm also a fan of Mykolenko. But I don't think he's been at his best this season, albeit far from as black as he's painted.

I have a theory that he is confused or put off his stride by Grealish's style of play in that Jack, as observed by many on here, does tend to slow the ball down and turn into the middle.

Dewsbury-Hall has used Mykolenko on the overlap on occasion but I think Mykolenko sees himself as the back door option for Grealish and hesitates to burst forward. I noticed in a couple of games that he "lingers" behind Grealish on the touchline, going neither forward nor back, especially in the Newcastle game.

But he's an international of some repute, and has played regularly well for us, so I hope he builds an understanding with Jack as the season goes on.

I'm suggesting a back three, with two good defensive wing backs in McNeil (who has performed well there in the past) and Garner, to hopefully keep Saka busy with defensive duties around the half-way line rather than pushing on a regular back four. But only because we're depleted and because, well, it's Arsenal.

If we were playing Wolves or Brentford this weekend, I'd keep Mykolenko in the side. And if Jack is out, then Mykolenko and McNeil have worked well in the past.

IMO, failing injury, our left back position is not a priority -- I'm hoping Aznou is at least good enough to deputise, and it's right-back that is the most crucial area to address.And striker, natch.

Conor McCourt 11 Posted 17/12/2025 at 17:08:19

Mark personally I feel both Grealish and Ndiaye are both problematic for our full backs. Only against Bournemouth and Utd have we seen Grealish drift.

Mykolenko against Spurs had to make underlaps meaning he was ending up on the edge of their box. This is not where you want this player.

Ndiaye has been terrible defensively against West Ham, City and Bournemouth which magnifies the issue of our right back.OBrien for his part was badly exposed against Chelsea both ways.

I agree with you that Myko would be optimal in a back three however for this game I want him on Saka as I think he can snuff him out.

Before we start talking about the deficiencies in the squad I feel we must try to find solutions of getting the most out of it. Moyes will go with Jake again and I think he may be right on this occasion as he will face Trosard and I think he hasn't the pace to trouble us and we will need his height.

Against Burnley however I would like to see Garner right back, Jake central, Ndiaye left, Grealish as a ten with either Rohl or Tim sitting.

I don't think Barry is the biggest problem as neither Grealish or Dewsbury Hall give him any service.

Ndiaye wants to cut in and shoot allowing Mykolenko to get into crossing position and stopping Ndiaye from being doubled up which Grealish creates.

On the right side Garner will provide width with Dibbling cutting inside.

When KDH plays ten he never looks up to play Barry in or find Ndiaye. He tries to play a one two with Grealish. Have Jack central would make him harder to mark and he has the ability to open up the right side as well as go past players himself.

I think that team would be more balanced. offer thread from both wings and be more creative centrally giving Barry the type of service he thrived on at Villarreal.

The strikers job is to find the net but he can't do anything without chances. Barry has found the net 3 times but only one counted. Against Bournemouth he did everything right with his chance. He only missed one sitter against Sunderland.

Paul Murray 12 Posted 17/12/2025 at 19:22:52

Wow I have never read so much crap

Connor what the hell do you watch

Bambi and bambier have missed enough chances to have at least ten each

As for illie not defending he’s our best attacker but still tracks back unbelievable by the way he won’t be playing against Burnley he’s at the African nations cup

Kdh is doing well considering he doesn’t look up he’s got three more goals than either of them poor underserved strikers you mention

Mykolenko is a championship defender. Give you one though grealish as a ten is fine

Conor McCourt 13 Posted 17/12/2025 at 19:42:47

Paul Barry's XG for what it's worth is 2.7 meaning he should have scored between 2-3 goals.. You can name the ten sitters he has missed if you like.

Your disrespect for our players says a lot about you Paul.

As for Ndiaye I forgot and meant how I would like to be played all this season.

KDH has 2 assists. One came when played as an eight. If you look at how his form improved when he played as an eight. He will score as many goals coming from deep.

Ndiaye is much better on the left and go back to those goals against if you disbelieve.

I tell you now Paul the next striker we sign won't score a lot of goals in this set up just as Calvert Lewin has already scored more than last season playing under Dyche's set up.

Paul Murray 14 Posted 17/12/2025 at 19:58:36

The disrespect you have for your players too Connor slagging plenty off in your comments

I obviously sit in a different stadium to you if the one I’m in Bambi has missed more than 3 and that’s just at home he’s crap simples

If I’m disrespecting him for stating the truth so be it he’s on 40 k a week 39.5 k a week more than me so no sympathy here

If you want your stats Jack has created 34 goal scoring opportunities this season according to sky and kdh plays with his head down 😏 oh and rohl another of your players has been injured all season nack ti Germany In January

Conor McCourt 16 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:14:09

The point I was making he doesn't play to the right hand side and constantly looks for Grealish. That is his strength running in behind and how he has scored 3 of his goals.

Can you tell me a chance he has created for either Barry or Ndiaye

Hopefully you can do better than you did for Barry.

XG aren't my opinion they are the opinion of others

The difference between you and I is that if I criticise a player I do so professionally, not a childish personal attack.

Darren Hind 18 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:24:03

Barry's missed ten chances ???

Good luck listing them

Paul Murray 19 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:28:17

The player referred to is likely Thierno Barry, who has missed a total of 8 "big chances" for Everton in all competitions during the current 2025/2026

Not my stats

Paul Murray 20 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:31:18

of mid-December 2025, Jack Grealish has created a significant number of chances, with figures showing around 29 chances created in the Premier League and even more in all competitions, placing him high on the list of creative players

Again not my stats. No assists for 14 matches exactly Bambi and bambier not putting them in ffs 🤦

Tom Bowers 21 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:39:21

Everyone knows the answers to our problems but sadly they don't lie within the current squad. When you don't have the big money to lure the best players you have to rely on lesser players and hope the manager can make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

That may sound a bit harsh on some of the players we do have and have given us some really bright moments this season but you cannot be up one week and down the next. It's just not acceptable in this league.

We can only hope that next month sees improvements in the personnel to get us into the top 6 or 7.

There are some players who have not risen to the call and a few others yet to be given a real run in the team that may make some difference but without a really class striker it will remain as it is right now.

Paul Murray 23 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:41:29

Well motor mouths there is the stats you wanted don’t expect an apology

Enjoy your super Barry

I’m sorry you don’t like my comments but I can only say what I see and these stats say

But suppose I’m being disrespectful to our players

Conor McCourt 24 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:41:57

No Paul Ndiaye has created nearly all of Beto's chances. Grealish created his one sitter. Michael Kendrick presented those stats previously when I went through them the highest number of so called chances were pull backs to Gueye from ten yards outside the box.

Don't look at the stats. Tell me all those chances for Barry you seen from your seat in in Hill Dickinson. Tell me all those chances you seen Dewsbury Hall created for our other two attackers. Tell me if I'm wrong why our chance creation is among the lowest in the league.

I will check in tomorrow for your extensive| report

Paul Murray 25 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:43:40

Darren what’s a load off ? That’s the stats I don’t like it either but. Don’t to choose to ignore it you asked for the proof there you go that’s 8 big chances not just chances do you actually go to The game ?

Paul Murray 26 Posted 17/12/2025 at 20:45:47

Goodnight Connor get a life

Raymond Fox 27 Posted 17/12/2025 at 21:19:10

As far as chances created are concerned, chances are very subjective.

When does a chance become a half chance or a very difficult chance.

I have little faith in some stats because it depends who or what is recording them and what action they are judging. Taken wirh a pince of salt in my opinion.

Paul Murray 28 Posted 17/12/2025 at 21:36:06

Very fair point Ray I actually don’t like starts myself but when you get people saying prove it etc you have to use them. But the facts are best. And fact Barry and Beto 1 each. For a team 8 th in the prem and playing bery well and much improved team. Worst two strikers in the premier fact. It’s early days for Barry but I don’t buy into it he’s 23 not really a kid and if he’s a premier league striker I’m a ballon dor winner 🥇 😀 hopefully he scores a hat trick this weekend we can all dream

Ian Bennett 29 Posted 17/12/2025 at 21:47:27

Think we have third lowest goals and shots on target in the league. Yet are un a decent league spot.

6 shots on target all season from Barry and Beto, but others aren't much better.

For context Haaland had 35.

We've lacked goal scoring chances, and we've lacked clinical edge. Anyone that watches the warm up attempts on goal pre match won't be surprised by the stats. The boys collectively cant hit a cows arse with a banjo.

Mark Murphy 30 Posted 17/12/2025 at 21:58:48

I’m watching the skunks v Fulham.

Tete, who we were in for, and Robinson, who we had, are the Fulham full backs.

Both look ok ish going forward but flakier defending than what we’ve got.

They’re good on the eye but watch them closely and they wouldn’t improve us.

There must be better options out there, but not those two.

Conor McCourt 31 Posted 17/12/2025 at 22:31:43

No Paul nobody asked you for stats.

You began with an inflammatory and disrespectful post whereby

1 you claimed Bambi missed 10 chances so my defence of him was wrong. Unfortunately you embarrassed yourself when asked to name them

2 you had a problem with the claim in certain matches Ndiaye let us down defensively. You failed to give evidence that this was wrong and spoke about his obvious attacking qualities..pointless.

3 you had a problem with the suggestion Dewsbury Hall lacks the vision of a number ten to play in Ndiaye or Barry. Your challenge that he scored four goals...again pointless.

4 you had a problem with my defence of Mykolenko. Despite him stifling some of the most dangerous players in the league, your challenge just the claim he is championship standard. Again no evidence just nonsense from out of your mouth.

The next time you wanna say you've never heard such crap in your life make sure you have a bit of a credible argument before you address me like that again otherwise I won't be so measured.

Incidentally Lewis Miley just scored the winner in the cup in the last minute. What the hell was he doing there, he should be at Portsmouth or Birmingham learning his trade, improving against inferior players, with a smile on his face. What is Eddie Howe thinking keeping him at Newcastle this season, doesn't he know about Seamus Coleman?