OPINION
West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen is back in the last chance saloon after agreeing to join Charlton on loan for the season.
The Hammers confirmed via their official website that the 22-year-old midfielder had departed the club on a temporary basis as he opted to join the League One club on a season-long loan.
Given that Cullen is at an age where he needs to show that he is more than just raw potential and his contract is due to expire next summer than he really needs to impress while at the League One side.
The promising midfielder has previously excelled in England’s third-tier with Bradford City and needs to ensure he looks a level above when performing for The Addicks as it’s the only way the Hammers are going to be convinced to hand him a contract.
Cullen had a disappointing loan spell at Bolton last season, making only 12 appearances, and this saw the Hammers consider getting rid of him this summer.
Reliable Hammers insider ExWHUEmployee previously stated via Twitter that the midfielder was set to be sold during pre-season, however that ended up not being the case.
Josh Cullen is also expected to be sold this pre season ⚒
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) July 7, 2018
Cullen ended up not being sold as he ended up making a memorable impression on Manuel Pellegrini during training and this saved him from the chopping block.
This is now being picked up by other “sources” but it seems he really has done enough to earn a place at the club in Pellegrini’s eyes as we have turned down offers for him. A final decision will be made soon but it’s looking hopeful for the West Ham fan ⚒ https://t.co/Y2zCnxtUJe
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) July 18, 2018
Yet after getting himself out of the last chance saloon in pre-season, it’s clear he is back in as the Hammers are not going hand him a contract if he struggles at Charlton.
A poor loan spell at the League One club could see his Hammers career come to sudden end next summer as there will be no way that Pellegrini will be willing to halt his exit based on training performances once again.
Cullen clearly worked hard to save himself from getting permanently binned this summer but as he was will be out sight and out of mind, his loan exit could end up undoing all his hard work if it goes wrong.
The midfielder will have confidence of saving his Hammers career after saving himself before and hopefully that will aid his cause.
As it’s clear that Cullen is playing for his Hammers future while on loan at the Charlton, he can’t afford to drop the ball with his contract running down.
