Josh Cullen may have only made three substitute appearances in the Premier League, but the midfielder is keen on giving Manuel Pellegrini a selection headache next season, as per quotes published by the South London Press.
The Academy product is set to return from his loan spell with Charlton Athletic in the summer, and is adamant that his time in League One has provided him with some invaluable experiences that will help him become a first-team regular at the London Stadium.
Under Lee Bowyer, the 23-year-old has been able to enjoy lengthy stints in the Addicks’ starting XI and has not missed a teamsheet in their past 17 third-tier games.
Cullen also scored his first goal of the season over the weekend, as the Valley natives emerged 2-0 victors at Gillingham, while Bowyer’s men look to end the campaign strongly ahead of the Play-Offs.
Another season in South London, though, is not in Cullen’s current plans, as he intends to rival Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere and Pedro Obiang for the spot alongside Declan Rice next season.
“I’ve always said that the main focus is to go back to West Ham and get a first-team place there,” claimed the uncapped Republic of Ireland international. “I’ll go back.
“They want me back and do pre-season and try and make my time there successful. Get in the first-team and warrant that place. That’s what I’m looking to do, and hopefully, that will happen.
“I think it’s important for every player – playing games and improving, developing yourself. You only get that through playing games. To come out and play for a team with great players and who are fighting for promotion at a massive club has been brilliant for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Hopefully, I can finish my time here with promotion.
“[Bowyer] has been brilliant for me. When I first signed I said that was one of the main reasons I chose to come here, to work under a manager like Bows. His record and his playing career speaks for itself. To come here and learn from a manager like that who played in a similar position to myself and had the career he had, how good a player he was, that was a key factor in coming and trying to learn from him.”
