The clean sweep of players at West Ham has continued with the announcement that Josh Cullen is joining EFL League One club Charlton Athletic on a season's loan. Manuel Pellegrini is said to rate The Republic of Ireland U21 captain very highly but feels his progress would be better served by going out on loan where he will link up with former West Ham United player and current Charlton manager Lee Bowyer and his former Hammers teammate Lewis Page at The Valley.
There will be many fans, particularly those who watch the development of youth team players closely, who will feel that 22 year old having excelled in League One previously, winning Players’ Player of the Year honours at Bradford City after inspiring the Bantams to the Play Off final in 2016/17 would be retained at the London Stadium. However the current Republic of Ireland U21 Player of the Year has only played nine times for Irons, most recently in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea last season, the Essex born player spent the first half of that season on loan at Championship club Bolton Wanderers, making 12 appearances before being recalled to the club by David Moyes after he took over as manager from Slaven Billic.
Hammers' manager Manuel Pellegrini obviously feels that he has enough cover for Cullen's preferred position, otherwise he would not have sent him out on loan again, we believe there is a 'back home' clause inserted in his contract whereby he can be recalled in the event of a catastrophic injury pile up, after all this is West Ham United!
Everyone at the Org would like to wish Josh all the best for his loan spell with the Addicks in Sarf London, pity though, because he has shown real promise at times, hopefully he will return a better player and at least he will be based near his family which is important. - Ed
