Arne Engels has received backing from Alex Rae, who believes the West Ham midfielder possesses the physical qualities required to play in the Premier League.
The former Wolves and Rangers midfielder defended Engels during a PLZ Soccer discussion after presenter Peter Martin questioned his impact at Celtic.
According to Hammers News’ account of the exchange, Rae said Engels has “the physical profile of an English Premier League player”.
His assessment focused on the athletic demands clubs consider when recruiting midfielders, including running power and the intensity of their work.
Arne Engels earns backing after West Ham move
Martin had expressed doubts about what he saw from Engels in Scotland. Rae offered a different perspective, explaining how recruitment departments assess qualities that may be less obvious when watching a player.
That distinction matters for a midfielder whose contribution extends beyond goals and assists. Rae’s argument was about the physical attributes clubs value when deciding whether a player can adapt to a different league.
Engels has become part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s midfield alongside Divine Mukasa, whose determination to return was detailed in our coverage of Nils Koppen’s explanation of the Mukasa deal.
West Ham’s next opportunity to build on that partnership comes against QPR at London Stadium on Friday 9 October.
The 8pm kick-off begins a sequence that also includes trips to Lincoln City and Swansea City, as outlined in our West Ham next five fixtures guide.
For Engels, that run offers another opportunity to demonstrate the qualities Rae believes make him suited to English football.
