When a player in poor form leaves West Ham I always worry that they’re going to start being amazing. It shows the club in a poor light and means every strop the player had was almost justified. However it seems that Enner Valencia isn’t going to be one of those players.
When Valencia joined the club I was genuinely excited. He was an explosive player with a powerful shot and good in the air. Yes he wasn’t tested in the Premier League but his international form would surely mean something. And for a while that was the truth. He banged in a long range goal or two. Knocked in a header. Then it all went south.
His touch became non existent. His gameplan one dimensional. He picked up some goals but mostly they were put on a plate for him. Bilic said it was time for him to leave.
Social Media Reacts
When Everton came along it was a bit of a shock, with Everton fans having mixed reactions.
I actually like the Enner Valencia move a lot. Low-risk loan and feel like he was misused at West Ham. Cautiously optimistic @Everton
— Bill Gienapp (@Type_O_Purple) September 1, 2016
West Ham fans were less mixed in their reactions
For Everton fans:
— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) September 1, 2016
Enner Valencia's best position is either on the bench or at home on the sofa.
There was nothing redeeming about Valencia’s early season performances. Given that we played against lower class opposition from the continent, his pace and skill should have been on display, but it was more of a masterclass in how not to finish and making sure you waste chances.
Now that he is playing up alongside Lukaku, one of the best young strikers going, it’s even more obvious. And yesterday, with Everton 1-0 down, he had a chance to make his mark. Coming on as a second half substitute, the ball fell nicely for him. All he had to do was hit the target it and surely he’d score?
81: Final change for @Everton. Enner Valencia comes on for Gueye. #afcb
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 24, 2016
Chance for Valencia but he misses the target. From six yards out. Misses. Call it a day, lad's. #EFC
— Read Everton (@ReadEverton) September 24, 2016
So it seems that Valencia’s poor form was nothing to do with the club he was at. He is just a bad football player. And as you can imagine, West Ham fans were very sympathetic to Everton’s plight…
I just don’t think he’s cut out for the Premier League. I think he’d suit the French or Spanish league where it’s a bit less physical and there are some weak teams. However in the Premier League he will not get the game-time or space to do what he thinks he can.