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It’s time for West Ham to decide on Josh Cullen’s future

By Jay Korman

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Josh Cullen of Charlton Athletic battles for possession with Chris Maguire of Sunderland during the Sky Bet League One Play-off Final match between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Josh Cullen of Charlton Athletic battles for possession with Chris Maguire of Sunderland during the Sky Bet League One Play-off Final match between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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After a successful loan spell with Charlton Athletic this past season, Cullen played a huge role in the London clubs promotion to the Championship. At the age of 23, it seems like West Ham have a decision to make about the Irish midfielder’s future at the club.

West Ham United midfielder Josh Cullen has been with the club since 2010 when he signed with the youth academy. Since making his first team debut with the Hammers in the first round of the Europa League qualifying phase, he has been sent out on loan to three different clubs, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers, and Charlton Athletic. The question now is has he done enough to be given a chance by Manuel Pellegrini on the first team?

Experience, although perhaps not at the highest level of competition, is not an issue for Cullen. He has played in over 100 games combined in the Championship and League One and has even appeared in 8 League One playoff matches. He also brings international game experience with 15 caps for the Ireland U21 squad. Sending Cullen out on loan would do him no good anymore as he does not lack live game experience. In fact, this past season, Cullen played in some extremely high-stakes matches.

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Cullen started a total of 32 games for Charlton Athletic last year in the central midfield, including all three playoff matches for the club. He managed one goal, provided 6 assists, and converted a huge penalty in a shootout that helped Charlton beat Doncaster Rovers. That was the victory that sent the club to Wembley, where they beat Sunderland on a last minute goal to secure promotion. The final was attended by over 76,000 fans and gave Cullen a real taste of exactly the high-pressure atmosphere that you constantly encounter in the Premier League.

Central midfield is currently a position of need at West Ham. Mark Noble is not getting any younger, Pedro Obiang’s departure looks imminent, and Jack Wilshere’s fitness is always in question. On top of these question marks, one of West Ham’s heavily linked transfer targets, central midfielder Andre Gomes, seems unlikely to join the Irons over the summer. It’s now or never for Cullen.

This is crunch time for West Ham United to decide what they want to do with Cullen. He had a great loan spell last season, played in some massive games, and plays a position where West Ham could use some depth. At the age of 23, sending him out on loan again doesn’t help either side in this situation. Cullen either needs to get minutes at West Ham or he is surplus to requirements and should be sold.

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This is a summer of incredible importance to Cullen. He has voiced how he wants to fight for his place at West Ham this upcoming season and has even expressed confidence that the club want him back as well. During the summer and leading up into the preseason, Cullen will have every opportunity to show the management and coaches what he is capable of. It all comes down to whether Pellegrini thinks he can make it in the Premier League, or if the Hammers need to look elsewhere to strengthen the position. We are all rooting for you, Josh!