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By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X) West Ham’s pursuit of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels appears to have stalled, which could bring Rennes midfielder Jordan James increasingly into the Hammers’ thinking. However, the 22-year-old Wales international shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a like-for-like alternative to Engels. James offers a different skillset and, importantly, appears particularly strong in areas where West Ham’s midfield needs improvement. 1. He scores goals — lots of them for a midfielder James scored 11 Championship goals during his loan spell at Leicester City, more than any other midfielder in the division. Even more interestingly, four of those goals came from outside the penalty area. West Ham desperately need more goals from midfield and James certainly appears capable of providing them. 2. He gives the midfield some much-needed energy James isn’t a midfielder who wants to stand still and dictate everything from one position. He progresses the ball through both passing and carrying, averaging 4.14 progressive passes and 1.76 progressive runs per 90 minutes. That mobility could be particularly useful in a Nuno Espírito Santo team, particularly given the lack of pace and dynamism West Ham have shown through the middle during pre-season and the opening Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth. 3. There’s creativity as well as goals James registered three assists for Leicester, but his 1.37 shot assists per 90 suggests he was regularly involved in creating shooting opportunities for teammates. That’s important because West Ham aren’t merely short of goals from central midfield; they’re lacking creativity too. With the Hammers continuing to reshape the squad following the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts, adding somebody capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch makes plenty of sense. | Jordan James | Key Stat | |---|---| | Championship goals | 11 | | Goals from outside the box | 4 | | Shot assists per 90 | 1.37 | | Progressive passes per 90 | 4.14 | | Defensive duels won | 60.2% | 4. He’s willing to do the dirty work This isn’t an attacking midfielder who disappears when possession is lost and refuses to do the dirty stuff. James averaged 4.38 recoveries per 90, including 2.66 counter-pressing recoveries, and won just over 60% of his defensive duels. There are weaknesses. James isn’t particularly dominant aerially, winning only 31.7% of his aerial duels, while scoring 11 goals from an xG of just 3.97 suggests it would be dangerous to assume he’ll reproduce that extraordinary goals return every season. But West Ham need goals, creativity and energy in midfield. James ticks all three boxes and, while he’s a different player to Engels, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.