Everton signed Enner Valencia from West Ham on deadline day.
Enner Valencia in action with NK Domzale’s Alvaro Brachi
Pundit Danny Murphy has told BBC Radio Five Live that he can’t understand why Everton have moved to sign West Ham United attacker Enner Valencia.
Everton endured a frustrating deadline day as they missed out on a number of transfer targets, but they did land two new signings – young forward D0minic Calvert-Lewin from Sheffield United, and then Valencia.
Manchester City’s David Silva in action with Enner Valencia
It was no great secret that Everton needed to bring in a new striker before the deadline; star goalscorer Romelu Lukaku stayed, which was a huge boost, but neither Arouna Kone nor Oumar Niasse have proven themselves capable of scoring regularly for the Toffees.
A host of strikers were linked with moves to Goodison Park, but many were surprised when the man Everton chose to sign was Valencia.
Enner Valencia celebrates scoring for West Ham
The 26-year-old joined West Ham back in 2014 having impressed for Ecuador at the World Cup in Brazil, scoring all three of his country’s goals in the competition to earn his big move from Pachuca.
However, he has proven the notion that you shouldn’t sign players based on their performances at international tournaments, as Valencia has scored just ten goals in 66 games for the Hammers – five goals in each season.
West Ham’s Enner Valencia celebrates scoring their second goal
That return was a little disappointing, and he has been gradually slipping down the pecking order under Slaven Bilic before being allowed to join Everton on Wednesday, penning a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
As the move was being done, pundit Danny Murphy told BBC Radio Five Live that he doesn’t think Everton need Valencia, and can’t understand why the Toffees felt they needed to sign a player who hadn’t impressed with West Ham.
“He might not have been their first choice, and I can understand why,” said Murphy. “I don’t understand why Everton want him to be honest. He hasn’t looked impressive for a long time, he’s had a few good games in a West Ham shirt, but I don’t think Everton need him,” he added.
Do you think Valencia is a good signing for Everton?
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