According to reports, Stoke City are closing in on yet another defender this summer as Mark Hughes continues to beef up his three-man back line before the transfer window closes on Thursday night. Hughes has identified young Bjorn Engels of Belgian side Club Brugge to be his next and possibly the last arrival this summer. The price being talked about is £8.5m.
Stoke City are closing in on a £8.5m transfer for Club Brugge defender Bjorn Engels. Report on this to follow on our website soon. #SCFC
— The 4th Official (@Official_T4O) August 24, 2017
The Potters have started their season decently having faced Everton and Arsenal in the opening two games. Their new arrivals have been effective with Jese Rodriguez scoring the only goal against Arsenal, but it was the adamant back line that has caught the eyes of many.
Hughes has opted for a three man defence this season with Ryan Shawcross, Kurt Zouma and Phil Bardsley lining up at the back. And as far as taking the sting out of opponent’s attack is concerned, it has worked quite well. They have already made Bruno Martins Indi’s deal permanent from FC Porto and with him joining the backline, it is only expected to get better.
The Potters finished in the bottom half of the table for the first time in four years and Hughes is banking on his brilliant defenders to take the side home this campaign. Opting a three-man back line would definitely mean getting in more centre halves, and with the club desperately trying to retain Shawcross’ services, Engels is seen as a potential long-term solution.
Engels has come to the fore for his superior technique on the ball. Having previously played a forward earlier in his career, Engels knows to score like an ideal poacher when he has the ball up front. And standing at 6’ 4”, he definitely possesses the attributes needed to cope as a defender in the Premier League.
He is aerially very domineering and would be the perfect match for the Stoke City style of play, who use more physicality in their approach. Engels has been in Club Brugge since childhood, and at just 22, is one of the best young talents in that position in the country. He is a regular at the club now and has played 96 games for the side already.
The player hasn’t hidden his desire to play in England and was previously linked with a move for Arsenal and Everton as well. Hence, with neither of the sides willing to get in another centre half this summer, Stoke City could have it very easy landing him.
A centre half by nature, Engels can also play as a defensive midfielder. He has 12 goals and six assists to his name for the Belgian side so far.
