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Sky Sports Scout, in association with Wyscout, reports on Ecuador star Enner Valencia

Enner Valencia Sky Sports Scout

Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe, in partnership with Wyscout, looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find and he is currently turning his attention to the World Cup.

Our scout - using all the tools at his disposal, which now includes the world's leading scouting resource Wyscout - will report back and you can comment on what you think of their appraisal.

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With the World Cup now having finished the group stages, the Scout is ready to file reports on some of the players that have made an impact on him, and the first player to be put under the spotlight is Ecuador striker Enner Valencia.

The scout reports...

A number of players have stood out at the World Cup finals, but Ecuador star Enner Valencia has been one of the real stand-out performers.

Scout Facts

NAME: Enner Valencia
AGE: 25 (11th April, 1989)
BORN: San Lorenzo, Ecuador
POSITION: Striker
CLUB: Pachuca
FACTS:Only converted into a striker in last 18-months

Sky Sports Scout Ratings:

0-10 - No hoper
11-20 - Should look elsewhere
21-30 - Might not make it
31-40 - Has work to do
41-50 - Keep an eye on him
51-60 - Great prospect
61-70 - On his way to the top
71-80 - Already World-class

The 25-year-old is already on his way home following Ecuador's exit, but it seems he will be packing his bags ahead of a big money move to Europe.

More from Sky Sports Scout

Valencia scored three goals in Brazil, indeed he scored every goal Ecuador managed. His first came against Switzerland before he got a brace in the win over Honduras. He failed to score against France - but even in that game he performed well.

Valencia came into the tournament know as the 'other' Valencia in the Ecuador squad with namesake and Manchester United star Antonio the undoubted key man for his country.

But the Ecuador captain had to take centre-stage as Enner was the Valencia on everyone's lips in Brazil.

Valencia's successor has helped lead Ecuadorian football out of the darkness of the death to their striker Christian Benitez - a key performer who suffered a cardiac arrest last July.

Benitez's absence left a huge hole in the side, and coach Reinaldo Rueda struggled to find a solution. He then decided to pitch Valencia into the central striker role, away from his usual right-wing berth, and he has not looked back.

His first goal for his country came in November just last year, but he has not stopped scoring since and continued that form into the World Cup finals and his international record now stands at an impressive seven in 12.

And the fact he has only recently switched roles, is also key to which his past history has not stood out as anything special.

He began playing as a young teenager with local side Caribe Junior before travelling for a trial with Ecuadorian giants Emelec and he impressed, earning a contract - but he did not get a first-team chance until some two years after he first moved with Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli - now masterminding Chile's success - giving him his chance and he was soon to become a first-team regular and although not a regular goal-scorer, he became a key figure of four seasons.

Earlier this year and Mexican side Pachuca fended off a number of clubs to land Valencia, and he rewarded them with a blistering campaign as he bagged 18 goals in 23 games, the form which has seen him light up the World Cup finals.

The scout says...

Valencia looks a brilliant prospect, given he has been playing as a fully-fledged striker for less than 12 months, the chance to further improve him is there. Whether somebody will meet an asking price believed to be over £15million remains to be seen - but the odds are he will be heading for Europe, and likely the Premier League, this summer.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 8 out of 10
Passing: 7 out of 10
Tackling: 6 out of 10
Heading: 9 out of 10
Pace: 9 out of 10
Vision: 8 out of 10
Current ability: 8 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10

OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 68/80

Current value: £16million
Potential value: £30million

Your opinion...

You have read our opinion of Enner Valencia - now we want your views. Have you seen Valencia in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it?

Get in touch, either using the form below, email or the scout's Twitter feed - @SkySportsScout.

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