- Midfielder Josh Cullen is eager to impress during pre-season
- The youngster is working hard to build on a successful loan at Bradford City
- Michail Antonio and Ashley Fletcher are likely to feature in the Dev Squad’s friendly with Chelmsford City on Friday 15 July, KO 7.45pm
West Ham United’s Development Squad get their pre-season preparations under way on Friday night with a local friendly against Vanarama National League South side Chelmsford City.
One player likely to feature is ever-present midfielder Josh Cullen who will pull on his beloved West Ham jersey for the first time since returning from a successful loan spell at Bradford City.
Having missed the Hammers’ pre-season tour of the US through injury, the 20-year-old is eager to impress before the start of the competitive season.
Speaking ahead of the Dev Squad’s friendly with the Clarets, Cullen said: “It was gutting not to be in America. I was really looking forward to the trip.
“I missed it by a week or so, and it’s unfortunate but there’s no time to dwell on it. I need to be ready to have a good season.”
Alongside Cullen, Michail Antonio is likely to feature for the Hammers, as well as new striker Ashley Fletcher, who will make his Hammers’ debut having signed from Manchester United.
With the Club entering a new era at the fantastic London Stadium, Cullen is excited about the direction in which the Club is heading.
“It’s exciting times for West Ham at the moment,” he continued. “You can see, with the players pledging their futures to the Club, they’re quality players, so it’s important that the squad we’ve got is as strong as it can be.
“It’s as strong as I can remember. We’re attracting players and locking our players down to long term deals.
“With the new Stadium as well; it would be incredible to be a part of the Juventus game, and it shows how much the Club is developing, to attract a team like Juventus who were only in the Champions League final so recently.
“It shows the direction the Club is heading in. It will be a great day for the Club, the players and staff and everyone involved. We’re itching to go when that comes around.”