1. Sport
  2. Football
  3. Transfers

Enner Valencia latest: Ecuador's World Cup star linked with Spurs, Newcastle and Everton

Striker has starred in the tournament with all three of Ecuador's goals

Ec-1.jpg
The match-winner Enner Valencia celebrates GETTY IMAGES

One of the stars of the World Cup is being chased by a trio of Premier League clubs, according to reports.

Enner Valencia has scored all three of Ecuador's goals in the tournament so far, including a match-winning double in the victory against Honduras.

His performances have left Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle leading the race for his signature, according to the Daily Express.

The slight striker plays for Mexican Premier Division club Pachuca, where he has enjoyed a prolific spell since moving in January.

After joining from Ecuador's Emelec, where he only enjoyed one season in double figures, Valencia has been outstanding, scoring 18 goals in just 23 matches.

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 player ratings

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 player ratings

  • 1/23 Switzerland: Diego Benaglio 6/10

    Had no chance with the goal, but saved well from Montero in the second half.

  • 2/23 Stephan Lichtsteiner 6

    Excellent going forward, but what caught out at the back by Ecuador's pace.

  • 3/23 Ricardo Rodriguez 9

    Set up both goals with his trusty left foot, and made a vital tackle when needed.

  • 4/23 Gokhan Inler 7

    Responsible for some lovely through balls, but faded in the heat.

  • 5/23 Steve von Bergen 6

    Steady if unspectacular at the back.

  • 6/23 Xherdan Shaqiri 5

    Tried to do too much and, more often than not, failed.

  • 7/23 Valon Behrami 7

    Not his most influential performance, but made a match-winning tackle in stoppage time before starting the move that led to Switzerland's second.

  • 8/23 Josip Drmic

    Dallied in front of goal early on, but had a second half effort harshly chalked off

  • 9/23 Valentin Stocker 5

    Always looked to be positive, but end product wasn't the best

  • 10/23 Valentin Stocker 5

    Made little impact in the first half and was replaced at the break.

  • 11/23 Best off the Bench (1): Admir Mehmedi 8

    Made instant impact off the bench, and was a handful for the entire second half.

    EPA

  • 12/23 Best off the Bench (2): Haris Seferovic 7

    Bagged dramatic winner right at the death.

  • 13/23 Ecuador: Alexander Dominguez 6

    Made some fine first half saves, but was caught in two minds for equaliser.

  • 14/23 Juan Carlos Paredes 5

    Booked for a cynical challenge and struggled with Switzerland's overlapping.

  • 15/23 Walter Ayovi 8

    Distribution was excellent and provided the free-kick for the opening goal.

  • 16/23 Carlos Gruezo 7

    The youngster showed a nice touch and kept possession well

  • 17/23 Jorge Guagua 6

    Defended solidly when called upon.

  • 18/23 Frickson Erazo 5

    Gave the ball away on too many occasions, often putting his team in danger

  • 19/23 Antonio Valencia 6

    Started and ended the game well, but disappeared for long periods.

  • 20/23 Cristian Noboa 6

    Battled steadily in midfield

  • 21/23 Enner Valencia 7

    Headed the opening, and went close to adding a spectacular second.

  • 22/23 Jefferson Montero 8

    Was a constant threat with his pace and skill, but was taken off before he ran out of gas

  • 23/23 Felipe Caicedo 5

    Anonymous throughout and eventually subbed.

Pachuca's vice-president Andres Vassi has admitted it will be hard to hold on to the strier if a big offer comes in.

"Enner Valencia's value increases every day. We don't know if he will stay, it will be hard given the offers we have received," he told Mexican ESPN.

"The options that a great player at this level gets are to be taken into account. But for now he has to keep doing things right.

"No doubt it would hurt us to let Enner Valencia go, but we are realistic about his quality."

Comments