Ecuador may have admittedly failed to capture much attention whilst operating at the 2014 World Cup finals last year – but via a certain plucky frontman named Enner Valencia – the Amarillos possessed at least one potential star to call their own.
The 25-year-old striker successfully scored every goal for his nation in Brazil two summers ago, subsequently landing himself a big money move to the Premier League in the process. West Ham United eventually won the race to land the Ecuadorian’s signature before the start of the 2014/15 campaign, and although £12 million was certainly a sizeable amount to splash out on a largely untested asset, the move was seemingly finalised relatively quickly.
However, although the former Club Sport Emelec and C.F. Pachuca man was by no means poor through the previous campaign, the newly discovered Hammers forward didn’t exactly set the English top-flight alight either. To make matters worse for the South American striker, Enner Valencia went on to suffer a frustrating injury in the run up to the current season, ruling himself out of the 2015/16 campaign thus far.
So then, now that the unpredictable 25-year-old is largely expected to return to first team action in the next couple of weeks or so, will West Ham’s goal-scorer impress upon reintroducing himself within Slaven Bilic’s starting XI?
Well, even though Valencia still represents one of the Hammers’ most significant investments in the modern era, breaking back into the first team fold at Upon Park will certainly prove a task much easier said than done. Now that Big Sam Allardyce’s old fashioned tactics have largely been washed away from the east end in favour of a more attack-minded, entertaining approach, Slaven Bilic’s new side have begun the 2015/16 season in great style.
Although West Ham’s home form does in-fact need seeing to at this early stage in the proceedings, Bilic has got his team playing incredibly effectively on their travels, picking up an impressive four away victories out of five so far this term. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are just some of the top-flight teams to fall victim of the Hammers under their newly appointed Croatian boss.
Breaking back into the West Ham’s starting XI will therefore prove tough for Valencia initially. The South American saw his pre-season schedule disrupted somewhat thanks to his ill-timed injury earlier on in the year – and because of the strong form of his teammates so far in 2015/16 – he must work hard to prove himself within West Ham’s current set up. The likes of Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses, Diafra Sakho – and of course not forgetting a certain Dimitri Payet – have all worked wonders for their side in the attacking areas of the pitch.
With the likes of Andy Carroll, Mauro Zarate and the newly acquired Michail Antonio also pushing for a first team place under Slaven Bilic this term, Valencia clearly has his work cut out upon returning from injury.
Yet that doesn’t mean we won’t see the Ecuadorian hero feature in the claret & blue sooner rather than later. Thanks to his sheer unpredictability in front of goal, quick turn of pace in the final third and strong link-up play with fellow front-man Diafra Sakho – Valencia certainly still has something to offer Bilic throughout the rest of the season. Sakho’s own individual performances will likely improve tenfold with his strike-partner back in the frame, and as West Ham’s no. 11 failed when played out wide under Allardyce last season, Bilic will likely get the best out of Valencia by using him in his most suitable position.
The goal-scoring forward works best when played as an orthodox striker with support to work off of in the final third. His overall technical ability may need work if he’s ever going to make it as a standout Premier League regular, but as such issues can easily be dealt with out on the training field, there is absolutely no reason to suggest that the Ecuadorian international won’t succeed this term.
Hammers fans therefore have great reason to be excited now that Enner Valencia is soon to be back amongst the action at Upon Park. Seeing as Victor Moses cannot feature against his parent-club Chelsea next time out, perhaps next weekend will provide West Ham’s tricky no. 11 with the perfect opportunity to re-stake his claim in front of the Boleyn Ground faithful.
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