By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham’s pursuit of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels makes sense when considering how different the Championship could be for Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.
Last season, the Hammers often relied upon counter-attacking. This time, West Ham will be the big fish in a smaller pond, regularly facing opponents who sit deep and challenge them to break down a packed defence.
That makes technical ability and midfield creativity increasingly important, which perhaps explains why Engels has emerged as such an important target.
Indeed, Claret & Hugh understands recruitment director Nils Koppen views the Belgian as his number one midfield choice. And with his West Ham medical booked for today, I thought it was time to scratch below the surface and discover exactly what we’re getting.
1. He provides goals and assists
During his first full season at Celtic, Engels registered 10 goals and 13 assists across 52 competitive appearances.
Twenty-three direct goal contributions represents an impressive return from central midfield, although he shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as an alternative to Jordan James.
The Wales international scored 11 Championship goals for Leicester last season and offers a different type of midfield threat.
Engels doesn’t have the goals output of Jordan James but does he offer more to Nuno Espirito Santo’s style?
2. His set-piece delivery could be particularly valuable
The right-footed Belgian regularly delivers corners and crosses from the right. That could complement left-footed Jarrod Bowen, who takes West Ham’s in-swinging corners from the opposite side.
Engels averages 2.23 crosses per 90, giving Nuno the option of dangerous in-swinging delivery from either side.
| Arne Engels | Key Stat |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 goal contributions | 23 |
| Shot assists per 90 | 1.69 |
| Passes into penalty area per 90 | 3.00 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 5.42 |
| Crosses per 90 | 2.23 |
With Mavropanos and Tomas Soucek attacking the ball in the penalty area, that could become a serious weapon at Championship level.
3. He creates shooting opportunities
Engels produces 1.69 shot assists and three passes into the penalty area per 90.
Those numbers are particularly relevant for a West Ham team likely to encounter compact Championship defences.
He isn’t simply circulating possession for the sake of it; he attempts passes intended to create chances.
4. He moves possession forward
The 22-year-old averages 5.42 progressive passes per 90, demonstrating his willingness to move the ball through the thirds.
Engels appears best suited to operating as a No.8, although he can play deeper when required. That flexibility would allow Nuno to use him in a midfield two or as part of a three.
5. He brings energy — but he isn’t a defensive midfielder
Engels recorded 231 recoveries over the last calendar year, with 103 occurring in the middle third and another 55 in the attacking third. He also produced 138 counter-pressing recoveries.
However, he won just under half of his defensive duels.
Engels provides work-rate and pressing, but West Ham shouldn’t sign him expecting a dominant midfield ball-winner.
Koppen clearly wants Engels, and perhaps the £22m fee agreed with Celtic is a fair compromise.
He wouldn’t solve every midfield problem, but his creativity, delivery, technical quality and energy address several weaknesses that need sorting.
Looks a good signing. £22m a bargain.
As a lifelong Celtic supporter, I’m delighted with this move. While he was a relative success up here, he will not be missed. We paid way over the odds a couple of years ago when paying £11M, so to double that is a miracle. However, he may thrive in a lesser team with less pressure. What would worry me as a West Ham fan would be the trust put in the abilities of Nils Koppen who pushed for this move. He was an abject failure at Rangers and his reputation for signing duds was a running joke. Rangers outspent everyone else the last two windows with his transfer targets and still finished 3rd in a 2 horse race, so good luck with that!