Josh Cullen was loaned out by West Ham United to third tier Charlton Athletic in the summer transfer window.
Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer made it pretty clear last week that he would love to keep Josh Cullen at The Valley beyond the end of this season.
The 22-year-old is on loan at the League One side from West Ham United, the club Bowyer represented from 2006 to 2009. And Cullen has certainly shown his talent in the third tier of English football.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international has established himself in Charlton’s starting XI and stood out once again in the 2-0 home win against high-flying Barnsley on Saturday. Jamie Ward, the Northern Irish forward on loan from Nottingham Forest, was certainly impressed.
“A lot of credit to the (defence). Josh Cullen in front of them, brilliant,” Ward told London News Online after Charlton secured a clean sheet against the second most prolific side in League One.
“They’ve all put their bodies on the line, they’ve got blocks in. A clean-sheet goes a long way in this league. We’ve come up against a very good side in Barnsley who have got some very good attacking players. We’re delighted about that.”
London News Online reported last week that Cullen’s wages could prove a potential stumbling block to Charlton’s hopes of signing him on a permanent basis.
And it remains to be seen what West Ham’s plans are for the former Bradford and Bolton loanee. The Hammers will need to replace Mark Noble eventually and Cullen’s energy, commitment and will to win marks him out as a potential option.
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