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A small line in the Daily Mail’s transfer gossip caught our eye today. Linking Bolton Wanderers to young Hammers Reece Burke and Josh Cullen.
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Burke to Bolton had been rumored for a few days as reported here. However, the news of interest in Josh Cullen is new. The young midfielder shined at Bradford City last year and had been rumored to possibly move into the first team this season.
A big factor in Nordtveit moving on -the emergence of Josh Cullen who is expected to be offered a first team squad reflective contract soon
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) June 20, 2017
While playing the Championship would likely help both Burke and Cullen develop they are the two youth players that would likely see the first team next season. However, as Brace the Hammer writer Geo Mackie puts it makes sense.
Disappointing if Burke goes out on loan but if I was a manager with less than a year left on my contract, I wouldn't be gambling on youth.
— Geo Mackie (@redhammer8) June 24, 2017
Slav is working for a new contract and there is less risk playing experienced first team players to secure his new contract. However, it’s disappointing to see youth development take a back seat for the second straight managerial era.
I love West Ham and Slav but I sure wish we were more like Spurs and Southampton sometimes.