Leeds are reportedly battling West Ham in the race to sign Josh Cullen, who is impressing under Vincent Kompany for Anderlecht. Mick McCarthy once compared him to Leeds legends Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles.
Cullen, 25, left West Ham in the summer of 2020 to join Anderlecht. He has since clocked up 71 appearances in less than two seasons, becoming a regular in Ireland’s midfield. Anderlecht’s no.8 has 12 Ireland caps.
TeamTalk claim Leeds and West Ham are two of a host of Premier League clubs interested – along with Wolves, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Burnley and Norwich. Championship sides Fulham and Sheffield United are keen.
He has a contract until the summer of 2023, and the player himself has admitted that a return to England is on his mind. Speaking about Cullen in 2019 when Ireland boss, McCarthy likens him to Bremner and Giles.
“Neither was Bremner and Giles,” McCarthy told the Irish Independent, when asked about Cullen’s size. “He’s technically very good, and tough. He puts his foot in and stands his ground.
“You wouldn’t think he’s a little fella that gets knocked around. He handles the ball particularly well. He’s got good legs and gets around the pitch. He plays week in, week out and he’s got great fitness levels.”
McCarthy on Cullen: Leeds star very much like Bremner and Giles
While he lacks the playmaker-type ability of Giles, he is incredibly similar in style to Bremner. He might not be as good, but he is that pocket-sizes, tough-tackling, hard-working no.4 at the base of the midfield.
Do Leeds need him? Adam Forshaw is probably the closest player to him at the moment, but whether Forshaw is the future of the Leeds midfield remains to be seen. Especially, because Forshaw turns 31 in October.
Cullen is only 25, but has the necessary work rate to thrive in the Leeds midfield. He has the passing, the toughness to perhaps shine alongside a Kalvin Phillips who is more of a rolls-royce midfielder.
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