OPINION
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini must hand midfielder Josh Cullen a lifeline in the summer regarding his Hammers career as he is pulling up trees while on loan at Charlton Athletic this season.
The 22-year-old has featured 18 times for Charlton this season, racking up three assists, and looks determined to prove to everyone how talented he is.
Cullen is a skilful midfielder who has a slick passing ability and is one that is not afraid to roll up his sleeves in order to put in a shift for his side.
The Hammers player is also willing to be moved around the midfield in order to do what is required of him and this is shown by the fact he has excelled on the left-flank, in the centre of midfield and as a holding midfielder sat just in front of the defence this season.
Also it has been very impressive how after suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery in November, as covered by London News Online, that Cullen has gotten quickly back up to speed in order to help Charlton in the games that remain.
Cullen may be playing his football in England’s third-tier this season, which will cause people to doubt whether he can make the step up, but he can only dazzle in front of the opposition he faces.
It’s also worth noting that Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff was on loan in League One with Blackpool last season and now he seems to be bordering on undroppable for Rafa Benitez’s in the Premier League.
Given how Cullen has made the most of his time away, Pellegrini must give him a chance to fulfil his potential at the London Stadium next season as he could be a success.
The experienced manager has previously gambled on using young players this season and has seen it pay off, so he should not hesitate to throw a chance Cullen’s way.