- Mykolenko enjoys morning chess matches against Keane to sharpen his mind.
- Ukrainian considers teammate Ndiaye the Premier League’s most skilful player.
- Playing alongside Ndiaye is easy because he creates magic with very little space.
Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko has given a fascinating insight into life at Finch Farm. The Ukrainian left‑back sat down to discuss his hobbies and his on‑pitch relationship with Iliman Ndiaye.
Mykolenko revealed that chess has become a regular part of the dressing room routine, with a board set up and competition fierce among the squad.
Chess battles with Keane and Rohl
Mykolenko, while talking to Everton’s official site, explained how his interest in chess was reignited. “I started to play when I was 11 at training camp. But then I forgot about this game, to be honest. One year ago, we started to play before the game, just for fun.
“I’ve got the chess.com app, sometimes we play on there with some of the lads from dressing room, and we’ve got a chess board in the dressing room. Before training sessions, we usually play chess. Not every day, but usually I play with Michael Keane. He’s very good, we played today and I won on time, so it’s very tough at the moment.”
When asked who his main rivals are for the title of dressing room grandmaster, Mykolenko named two teammates: “Michael Keane and Merlin Rohl.”
Describing the appeal of the game, Mylenko said, “I like to play chess because I can relax in this game. Sometimes not because it’s competition as well. I play on my phone and it is a competition, you have to get more and more points, a better level. I think my brain is switching on when I play chess. In the morning, I used to play chess before the game, I like it.”
Could there be a second career after football? “I don’t think so, no. It’s my hobby, not a career.”
Mykolenko on Ndiaye: ‘The most skillful player in the Premier League’
Mykolenko also spoke warmly about his teammate Iliman Ndiaye, who has become a fan favourite since scoring the last two goals at Goodison Park and the first competitive goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“If you play the ball to him, he can make everything, he can create, he can do anything with the ball. I think he’s the most skilful player in the Premier League at the moment.”
The left‑back explained how simple it is to combine with Ndiaye. “Just play to his feet, so it’s easy. Then, he will create everything from a few yards, he needs just a few yards. If you’ve seen his skills, it’s incredible. I don’t like to play against players like him.”
On Ndiaye’s historic goals at Goodison Park, Mykolenko said: “Maybe international players don’t understand this as much as Seamus Coleman, but definitely, they were very important goals and [a very important] game for me, for Iliman and for the fans as well, so I think he knows it’s very important for our supporters.”
He finished with a message for the Blues: “He has a big future, I hope he will play for Everton for many years.” With the recent links to Manchester United as well, we hope Iliman Ndiaye will play for the Toffees for a long time.
- Mykolenko opens up on chess battles with Keane and ‘incredible’ teammate Iliman Ndiaye
- Everton eye Crysencio Summerville as West Ham winger’s price could plummet
- Paul Quinn reveals why John Textor’s Everton takeover was never credible
- David Moyes continues transfer talks on scouting mission
- How does Everton’s run-in compare to their Premier League rivals
