West Ham United’s record-breaking decision to spend £22million on Arne Engels is already becoming a major talking point among supporters, and the Celtic recruit has now addressed the growing scrutiny surrounding his difficult start at the London Stadium.

The Belgian midfielder arrived from Celtic during the summer with considerable expectations placed on his shoulders. West Ham had just sanctioned the departure of Mateus Fernandes, leaving Engels facing the sizeable challenge of helping fill the void created by the Portugal international’s exit.

However, after just three appearances for the Hammers, sections of the fanbase have already begun questioning whether the club made the right investment.

Engels has yet to produce the kind of performances that would immediately justify the club-record Championship fee, with his display during the disappointing draw against Watford attracting particularly strong criticism.

Some supporters have questioned his passing, physicality and ability to cope with the demands of English football, while others have argued that West Ham needed a different type of midfielder altogether.

Yet there is another side to the situation that should not be ignored.

Engels is only 22 years old, has arrived in a completely different league and is attempting to establish himself within a West Ham squad that has undergone significant changes during the summer.

The midfielder is also still developing an understanding with several new teammates, many of whom are themselves adapting to life at the club.

And Engels believes that could ultimately prove crucial.

Engels sends message to West Ham supporters

Rather than allowing the early criticism to unsettle him, Engels has insisted that the relationships within West Ham’s squad are beginning to develop.

Speaking to West Ham TV, the Belgian acknowledged that the team still has plenty of work to do but believes their understanding will continue improving with time.

“I think the connections are building,” Engels explained.

That appears to be a particularly important point given the scale of the changes at West Ham.

The Hammers are not simply introducing one new player into an established team. Several new faces have arrived, while younger players are also being asked to contribute as Nuno Espirito Santo attempts to rebuild the squad.

Engels believes those players need time to understand each other and develop the chemistry required to perform consistently.

The former Celtic midfielder also pointed towards the quality he sees among his new teammates, insisting that there is plenty of potential within the group.

For Engels, the immediate objective is therefore not to respond to every criticism but to help West Ham become a more cohesive team.

Why some West Ham fans are already worried

The £22m price tag has inevitably intensified the scrutiny.

Had Engels arrived for a considerably smaller fee, his opening performances might have received more patience. Instead, the Championship-record figure has created enormous expectations from the moment he walked through the door.

Some supporters have questioned whether Engels provides the defensive presence and ball-winning ability West Ham require in midfield.

Others have been frustrated by misplaced passes and moments where his decision-making has appeared below the required standard.

There has also been debate over whether the club genuinely strengthened the midfield after allowing Freddie Potts to leave for Club Brugge.

That has resulted in an increasingly uncomfortable comparison between the two players, particularly among fans who believe West Ham needed a midfielder capable of protecting the defence and breaking up opposition attacks.

Still, judging Engels after only three competitive appearances would be premature.

His final Celtic appearance demonstrated that he is capable of producing high-level performances, while his time in Scotland showed enough quality for West Ham to commit such a significant fee.

The challenge now is transferring that ability into a completely different environment.

Engels confident West Ham can turn things around

Despite the criticism, Engels does not appear concerned about the long-term outlook.

The midfielder admitted there are aspects of the team’s performance that must improve, but he remains convinced that the players will become increasingly effective as their relationships develop.

He also highlighted the contribution of the club’s younger players, suggesting that the squad contains considerable potential despite its lack of experience together.

Engels believes the players must continue communicating, working together and developing their understanding on a daily basis.

That could ultimately determine whether his West Ham career becomes a success.

The pressure surrounding the £22m transfer is unlikely to disappear immediately, particularly while results and performances remain inconsistent. But Engels has now made his position clear: he believes West Ham’s new-look squad simply needs time to gel.

For the Hammers, the coming weeks could therefore prove crucial.

If Engels begins producing the performances expected from a record signing, the early criticism could quickly become a distant memory. But if his struggles continue, questions over the club’s £22m investment are only likely to become louder.

For now, however, Engels is asking for patience — and believes that once West Ham’s new players properly understand one another, supporters will see a very different team.