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Could Josh Cullen play a part for West Ham this season?

By Scott Johnson

SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Josh Cullen of West Ham United applauds the fans after The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at Montgomery Waters Meadow on January 7, 2018 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Josh Cullen of West Ham United applauds the fans after The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at Montgomery Waters Meadow on January 7, 2018 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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It was thought West Ham youngster Josh Cullen would be off this transfer window. But Pellegrini thinks there’s more to come from the young central midfielder.

If you’d asked me to give a list of players most likely to leave West Ham this summer, I would have probably have put Josh Cullen on it. Having shown a spark of something under Bilic, there was no chance given to him by Moyes. With Wilshere, Noble, Obiang and seemingly also Rice ahead of him in the central midfield role I didn’t see him getting close.

However it seems Pellegrini has instructed the club to keep Cullen in East London. That is despite offers from other clubs to take him, both on loan or permanently. So what is the plan for Cullen? Is he really likely to get much gametime?

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Happy being backup?

One player who is unlikely to stand in Cullen’s way is Kouyate. Rumour has it that Pellegrini is not at all impressed by the Senegalese international, with his technical and positional qualities under question by the new manager. So for that, Cullen is above Kouyate in the pecking order.

As the season goes by, we may see Cullen move up in the pecking order, but above Obiang and Wilshere? The only player who I can imagine him overtaking is Noble, as the older player may get phased out by the man in charge. However that is not a given. So unless there are injuries I imagine Cullen will see little gametime, especially in the league.

So again the choice comes down to the player. Is Cullen happy to play backup for the first team? Will he be happy just playing the last 30 minutes of matches? Playing when those ahead of him get injured? Or in the minor cup games?

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The club has rejected offers already for Cullen. If he moved he would be able to play more regularly, and improve himself for the future. It’s a tough choice for any young player to make. Stay at a big club he loves? Or a lower rated club where he can get games? Either way, its his future that should be central to that decision.