Valencia desperate for more Everton minutes

Enner Valencia has struggled since joining Everton in August, and the striker is keen to take advantage of a hectic Christmas period and force his way into Ronald Koeman’s plans.

The Ecuador international joined from West Ham United after falling out of favour under Slaven Bilic, but he has featured more times for the Hammers than he has for the Toffees this season.

Valencia is yet to score for his new club but Everton’s poor run of form could present him with more first-team opportunities.

Everton have won just one of their last eight Premier League games, scoring six goals in the process, and have dropped to seventh in the table – three points inside the top half.

And with six matches in December, plus the return of the FA Cup in the New Year, Valencia knows Koeman will need to fully utilise his squad.

“Hopefully I can play more games in this busy time over Christmas,” he said.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

“I really want to be a part of the team and hopefully there will be a lot of rotation with players coming in and out. Hopefully I can play my part.

“It is always the same when you go to a new club. You have to learn how they want you to operate. It has been different to what I have done previously.

“But when you start to understand what the manager wants from you then it becomes easier and that is how it is going at the moment.

“We have to take advantage of the Christmas period, although it will be difficult. We have some important matches coming up and need to pick up as many points as we can.”