Valencia happy to play wide role for Toffees

Enner Valencia plays most of his international football up front but insists he is happy to shift to the wing with Romelu Lukaku at Everton.

The Belgian striker has managed 19 goals in the Premier League this season, and leads the line for the Toffees under Ronald Koeman.

That has meant that Ecuadorian international Valencia has been shifted to the wing for much of his game-time, but it is not something that bothers him.

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He said: “Romelu’s probably going through the best spell of his career in terms of goalscoring form, so you can’t displace him.

“Maybe it would be different for me if we were playing tactically a bit different.
“Normally for my national team I play as an out and out striker up front so it has been a bit difficult as I’ve been playing more towards the wings. But I am enjoying that role too. The main thing is to try to get into the team.”

Valencia hasn’t been a regular starter at Goodison Park but he is adamant that his time will come provide he keeps impressing off the bench.

He added: “The disappointment is not being able to play as many minutes as I would have liked but that’s something that you never give up on. I’m working hard in training to be ready when I get the chance again.

“I’m all about being positive and the best possible way of looking at things. I’m really keen to play and am keen to help out the team and play.

“There are 10 games in which I could play. And those 10 games are vital because what we have to do is seal qualification for one of the European competitions.”