Sornoza, Valencia’s former teammate at Del Valle, predicts the Ecuadorian’s success at Flamengo and asks for the fans’ patience.
Newly signed Anthony Valencia already has a strong “ambassador” in his favor at Flamengo. Junior Sornoza, captain of Independiente del Valle and Valencia’s former teammate at the Ecuadorian club, has shown great confidence in the young midfielder/winger’s potential. Defeated by Mengão in the Copa Libertadores da América, the Quito team got a close look at the talent of the player who now wears the red-and-black jersey.
Sornoza’s Praise
In an interview with ESPN, Sornoza highlighted Valencia’s qualities: “A top player, young, with a lot of drive. I think he will bring a lot of joy to the Flamengo fans, but they need to be a little patient so he can adapt well to Brazilian football.” The statement reinforces the expectation surrounding the Ecuadorian, who had stints in Belgian football before arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
Expectation and Adaptation
Flamengo fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Valencia in action. His debut was brief, with only six minutes against Remo, and he had a subdued performance. In the match against Del Valle, he remained on the bench. Now, with a packed schedule and a potentially rotated squad for the clash against Corinthians in the Brazilian Serie A, the Ecuadorian might get more chances.
Competition and Opportunities
The competition for a spot in Flamengo’s attack is fierce, with players like Gonzalo Plata and Luiz Araújo. Despite the competition, journalist Pedro Paulo Catonho points out Valencia’s versatility, capable of playing in various positions. The trend is that opportunities will arise in games where the team has a comfortable lead, or due to potential absences from injuries or suspensions, which could accelerate the player’s adaptation and establishment in Brazilian football.
By Equipe M360
