Artem Frankov: "Maybe it will be useful for Everton to dive into the Championship"

Well-known Ukrainian journalist Artem Frankov told what he thinks about the situation that has developed in the English Everton and the prospects in connection with this for the Ukrainian defender of the team Vitaliy Mykolenko. Recall that Liverpool are in distress in the current championship of England, occupying the penultimate place in the standings, and Everton head coach Frank Lampard was recently dismissed from his post.

- Why did Lampard's Everton fail and is Mikolenko to blame?

- This is not Mikolenko's fault, but Lampard's fault, in my opinion, is not very great either. Absolutely wild selection of the team, wild management. I don't understand at all what's going on there. It was obvious that the team with the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham would sag in attack, but they did not find a real replacement for him. The team is frankly weak.

- Why has Mikolenko been grossly mistaken lately?

- If the team fails, then what, should Mikolenko be an exception in this regard? There is such a thing as a general mood. I would not blame the football player here, but in no case do I remove responsibility from him, you need to remain a professional until the last breath.

- What kind of coach is needed to replace Lampard? (rumored to be Wayne Rooney, Sam Allardyce or Marcelo Bielsa)

— This question is not very important. The problem is that the owner of the club can offer the coach in terms of saving the team, in terms of strengthening it. With this line-up, the team goes to the relegation. Maybe it will be useful for Everton to dive into the Championship, let him tumble there and then let it go. For many, such things are beneficial in terms of improving the situation in the team.

— What future awaits Mikolenko?

- Here, a lot depends on the coach: Mikolenko was trusted at Everton under Lampard. I hope that, at least at the initial stage, he will have a chance to prove himself in the eyes of the new coach and confirm his place in the first team.

- Has Mikolenko already proved his level in the Premier League?

— He is far from the worst in this team. It is somewhat more difficult to speak about the Premier League. Still, assists and goals are desirable for the left wingman, and not just defensive actions.

- Will the new coach have reasons to replace Mikolenko?

- I don’t see any objective reasons for my part, only if suddenly a new coach comes with his own clear vision of how Everton’s tactics should look like and with some new performers for the left-back position.

So far, I don’t see any catastrophe with Mikolenko, it is happening with Everton as a whole. In fact, Everton is now dragging Mikolenko to the bottom. Vitalik is not the one who can pull out this "behemoth" on his own. I'm not sure that any coach will be able to cope with such a task.

Andrey Shevchenko