'Wouldn't get in a League One side' - Arne Engels endures nightmare West Ham debut after £22m Celtic exit

Now former Celtic midfielder Arne Engels must have been concerned when he watched his new side collapse late on last week, but it got worse on his actual debut.

Engels did not sign in time to play West Ham's season opener last week, which saw them take a 2-0 lead at Burnley only to concede twice late in the game and return to the English capital with only a point.

But the EFL's most expensive signing of all-time was eligible to make his debut on Saturday, as West Ham hosted Charlton Athletic in a game they were very much expected to win, as strong promotion favourites.

But Engels, who played a full 90 minutes, could not prevent a shock home defeat for the Hammers, with Lloyd Jones and Tyrece Campbell on target to secure a London derby win for the Addicks, although new loan signing Joel Piroe pulled one back for West Ham.

There were some negative reviews for Engels, too, with @Ironnsss writing on X: "is Engels playing? why is our midfield just Kilman and Orford." @Joelsafer added: "£22m for Engels looks a bigger robbery than Brinks Mat" @JosephElliot1 wrote: "Engels, Kante, Scarles, Kilman all wouldn’t get in a League 1 side."

In Engels' defence, he is adapting to a new country and a new league, and this is his first game. There are some Celtic fans on social media suggesting that the Belgian was poor all along, but that is simply not true. He was excellent for the Bhoys and clearly a step above move.

Every player has an off-day, and they are more common early at a new club, especially when that club does not start the season well as a collective. There may well be better to come, but for now, it's a disappointing start to life in London for the former Celtic midfielder. West Ham are next in action against Southampton in the cup on Tuesday.