Enner Valencia claims training is harder at Everton than it was at West Ham.
Enner Valencia in action with NK Domzale’s Alvaro Brachi
Everton’s new signing Enner Valencia has been quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying that training is harder with the Toffees than it was with West Ham United.
Valencia, 26, completed a deadline day move to Goodison Park having fallen down the pecking order at West Ham, where he had been since a 2014 move from Mexican side Pachuca.
Manchester City’s David Silva in action with Enner Valencia
The Ecuadorian had made his name at the 2014 World Cup by scoring all three of his country’s goals in Brazil, but he couldn’t live up to that kind of production during his time with West Ham.
Valencia hit just ten goals in 66 games for West Ham, and whilst he spent plenty of time as a winger – despite being a striker by trade – he will be disappointed with his goal return for the Hammers.
Now, Valencia has a fresh start with Everton having penned a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move, and he will be hoping to make his debut against Middlesbrough this weekend.
Enner Valencia celebrates scoring for West Ham
Ahead of that game, Valencia has spoken about his move, and has drawn particular attention to two factors that he seemingly didn’t like about being at West Ham.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Valencia stated that he is enjoying training under Ronald Koeman, as training is harder than it was at West Ham – a possible dig at Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.
Enner Valencia celebrates scoring
Valencia added that he felt misused at West Ham, as he feels he is a striker, not a winger, and found it ‘difficult’ to be picked out wide so often under Bilic.
“I have enjoyed training with my new team-mates, it’s different to my last team – it is a little bit harder,” said Valencia. “The best performances of my career have come as a striker. Last year at West Ham I was used to playing as a winger which was difficult for me because it is not the position I feel well in,” he added.
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