No football is bad. We can all agree on this. That being said, for some injury-prone or fringe West Ham players, the uncertainly and forced time off could be a blessing in disguise.
Jack Wilshere
Not many believe there is much of a future with Jack Wilshere at West Ham, and for good reason. Since signing in East London two seasons ago, Wilshere has played just 14 league matches for the Hammers, registering just one assist in Premier League action. Currently robbing a £100k/week salary (£15.6m three-year contract), Wilshere has another season left on this monster deal.
Originally, we all knew this deal was going to be a gamble. Wilshere is one of the most talented English midfielders maybe ever, but his name is synonymous with injury, and that has proved to be the case thus far. A childhood Hammers fan, Wilshere’s return to West Ham had the potential to be a storybook turn in his injury-plagued career.
Instead, we’re left wondering what could have been with him pulling the strings in West Ham’s midfield. With his overly frail body, however, Wilshere has to be loving the time off from training and potentially playing to rest his injuries, specifically his ankle and groin.
There is no logical reason Wilshere would opt out of his contract so get used to seeing him around the London Stadium through the 2020/2021 season. Is there a chance Wilshere could come good and actually play for the Hammers? It’s slight but there is a glimmer. With Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Pablo Fornals, and Mark Noble all playing centrally, he’d have to fight his way back.
Josh Cullen
Branded the next Mark Noble, Josh Cullen really hasn’t been given the chance to make an impact at the senior level with West Ham. The 23-year-old midfielder is currently on loan with Charlton in the Championship where he is absolutely loved by the supporters. Having played in 25 league matches this season, Cullen hasn’t missed a game outside his eleven game hiatus for a torn ankle ligament.
Cullen was also adored by Bradford supporters when he played with them from 2015/2017 (loan), before stumbling at Bolton prior to two seasons away at Charlton. With funds never a promise from the board, David Moyes is primed to take another look at Cullen this summer, with his deal expiring in July 2020.
Besides being a potent “free” addition, Cullen ticks the box of a homegrown player and would be on relatively low wages in the team. He would also act as another beacon for loaned out Academy players who are trying to see if and when they’ll break into the first team.
Uncertainty over the coronavirus shutdown and its implications on transfers in and out could see the Hammers reward Cullen with a contract, making him the heir apparent to the depth midfield position Carlos Sanchez is taking up, except Cullen is playable, young, and useful. A bird in the hand could be the mantra for signing Cullen and giving him a chance at first-team football.