Everton team news: Branthwaite late check ahead of Chelsea 2026

Key Points

• Everton manager David Moyes says Vitalii Mykolenko “has a chance” of featuring in the Premier League game against Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
• Branthwaite is a doubt having picked up an injury, described by the Evening Standard as a dead leg, at an early stage of Everton’s 2-2 draw against Hull City.
• Mykolenko was absent from the Hull game because of a knock received during his involvement with the Ukrainian national team.
• Christian Nørgaard is fit to play but is unlikely to feature as he recovers his match sharpness after suffering a groin injury.
• Moyes explained that Branthwaite’s injury happened “really early” in the game against Hull and has been examined throughout the week.
• Everton are currently unbeaten in all competitions and fifth in the Premier League going into the clash against Chelsea.
• The fixture takes place at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday starting at 12:30 BST.

Everton (Liverpool standard) October 16, 2026 — Everton could be strengthened by the return of left-back Vitalii Mykolenko for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea, but manager David Moyes has confirmed that central defender Jarrad Branthwaite faces a late fitness assessment after picking up an injury in last weekend’s draw at Hull City.

Moyes delivered the update at his pre-match press conference on Friday, less than 24 hours before Everton host Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Everton manager said Mykolenko is improving after missing the 2-2 draw at Hull because of a knock sustained while representing Ukraine during the international break.

As reported by Hayters, Moyes said: “Myko is doing much better. Myko has got a chance for the game.”

The potential return of the Ukraine international would be significant for Everton, who used Branthwaite at left-back against Hull in Mykolenko’s absence. Branthwaite started alongside Michael Keane and James Tarkowski in a reshaped defence, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles also featuring in the back line.

Will Jarrad Branthwaite Be Fit For Chelsea?

Branthwaite’s availability remains uncertain. Moyes said the England international suffered the problem early in the match at the MKM Stadium and has been monitored throughout the week.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Moyes said: “Jarrad had a problem. He got it really early [against Hull]. We’ve been looking at that in the week.”

The Evening Standard reported that Branthwaite sustained a dead leg in the Hull fixture, while Hayters described it as a problem that required assessment after he completed the full 90 minutes. Neither report specified a definitive diagnosis beyond the injury description provided by Moyes and subsequent media coverage.

Branthwaite’s potential absence would present Moyes with a defensive selection issue. The 24-year-old has been an important part of Everton’s unbeaten start to the season, and his recent form and fitness have coincided with an England recall, according to The Athletic.

Could Vitalii Mykolenko Return Against Chelsea?

Mykolenko appears closer to returning than Branthwaite. The left-back missed the Hull game after sustaining an injury while on international duty with Ukraine, but Moyes said he has made good progress in training.

As reported by Hayters, Moyes said: “Myko is doing much better. Myko has got a chance for the game.”

The Liverpool Echo similarly reported that Moyes believes Mykolenko has a chance of being fit to face Chelsea. Everton.news noted that the defender had been expected to return to the group ahead of the Chelsea fixture after Moyes had previously said the extra day before the Hull match might help his recovery.

Mykolenko is Everton’s only recognised left-back in the squad, according to The Athletic, which also reported that he has made a solid start to the season and was named man of the match in Everton’s away match against Tottenham. His return would allow Branthwaite, if fit, to move back into his preferred central defensive position.

What Did Moyes Say About Christian Nørgaard?

Moyes also provided an update on midfielder Christian Nørgaard, who is continuing his recovery from a groin injury. The Danish midfielder is available for the Chelsea match, but Moyes indicated that he is not yet ready to start.

As reported by RotoWire, Moyes said: “Christian’s still got a bit to go. A wee bit to go. I think we could use him at certain times if required, but I don’t know if he’s ready to start the game yet.”

Nørgaard, a summer signing from Arsenal, had been building up his fitness during the international break. Moyes previously said the midfielder had taken part in a behind-closed-doors match and had received his first minutes in a long time, but added that he would prefer to give him more time before involving him fully.

The Evening Standard reported that Everton could be without Branthwaite, Mykolenko and Nørgaard for the Chelsea visit, although its report also carried Moyes’s assessment that Mykolenko had a chance of playing and that Nørgaard remained short of full match fitness.

How Could Everton Line Up Against Chelsea?

Everton’s starting XI could depend heavily on the outcomes of Branthwaite’s and Mykolenko’s fitness checks. ESPN’s pre-match preview listed Mykolenko as a doubt with a knock and predicted a back four including Branthwaite at left-back, Michael Keane and James Tarkowski centrally, and Maitland-Niles at right-back.

That predicted line-up also included Jordan Pickford in goal, James Garner and Harrison Armstrong in midfield, and Brennan Johnson, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish supporting striker Thierno Barry. However, those selections were predictions rather than confirmed team news, and Moyes’s Friday update suggests Mykolenko’s possible return could alter the defensive shape.

If Mykolenko is passed fit, he would be expected to return at left-back, freeing Branthwaite to partner Tarkowski centrally—provided Branthwaite also clears his own fitness assessment. If Branthwaite is unavailable, Keane could continue in central defence, while Maitland-Niles or another squad member could be considered for the left-sided defensive role.

When Is Everton v Chelsea?

Everton host Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday in round seven of the Premier League, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST.

Everton enter the match unbeaten across all competitions and fifth in the Premier League, according to The Athletic. Chelsea, meanwhile, were reported by Yahoo Sport to be without Reece James, Jamie Gittens and Emanuel Emegha for the fixture.

Background Of The Development

Mykolenko’s injury arose during Ukraine’s international fixtures, forcing him to miss Everton’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Hull City on 11 October. Branthwaite deputised at left-back in that match, while Keane came into the central defence alongside Tarkowski.

Everton’s defensive options have been under strain in the early part of the season. The Athletic reported that Mykolenko is the squad’s only recognised left-back and that Branthwaite’s return to form and fitness has been important to the team’s strong start. Nørgaard’s recovery from a groin problem has also been gradual; Moyes said before the Hull match that the midfielder had played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers but was not yet ready for regular involvement.

The fitness updates come ahead of a demanding fixture against Chelsea, with Everton seeking to preserve their unbeaten record in all competitions.

Prediction: How This Affects Everton Fans And Fantasy Managers

For Everton supporters, Mykolenko’s likely availability would be the most positive development, because it would restore natural balance at left-back and reduce the need to deploy Branthwaite out of position. If Branthwaite misses out, Everton’s central defence is likely to rely on Tarkowski and Keane, which could affect the team’s ability to cope with Chelsea’s attacking movement.

For fantasy football managers, Mykolenko’s status should be monitored closely before Saturday’s deadline. His return would make him a potential starter, while Branthwaite carries meaningful selection risk because Moyes has not confirmed his fitness. Nørgaard is available but appears more likely to be used from the bench or in short spells, making him a less reliable selection for this round.

For Chelsea supporters, Branthwaite’s doubt may be viewed as a potential advantage, particularly if Everton are forced to adjust their back line. However, Mykolenko’s possible return could offset some of that benefit by allowing Everton to restore their preferred left-back and move Branthwaite back into central defence if he is fit.