West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen is set for a last chance to save his career with the Irons this summer after impressing during his loan spell at Charlton Athletic, according to journalist Sam Inkersole.
The Football.London reporter claimed in a live question and answer (14:26) that the 23-year-old has done enough while at the Addicks to convince Manuel Pellegrini to be given a shot to prove he is worthy of a future in east London.
Cullen has made nine first team appearances for the Hammers during his time at the club, while he was a regular for Charlton in League one with 29 outings, injury leaving him sidelined for nearly two months over the winter.
Opinion
At 23-years-old Cullen must realise that he has got to start playing regular first team football or face a career which will fall same way short of what potential he has. He might well be given a chance at West Ham but the truth of the matter is that he seems highly unlikely to break into the starting XI, or even the first team squad, with the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere and Declan Rice, among others, already established in the side. Regardless of what Pellegrini might want to do, the Charlton loanee should be looking for a permanent position in a squad, whether that be with the Irons or elsewhere. It will no doubt be a tough decision to make but if he wants to be the best footballer he can then West Ham might not be the right club for him. Still, we have seen late bloomers make the grade before and it may well be that Cullen is ready to play for the Hammers – he just does not have that long to prove it to the manager.