Why Vincent Kompany & Burnley benefitted from Charlton Athletic striking Josh Cullen transfer gold | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic struck transfer goals with West Ham United under Lee Bowyer but Vincent Kompany's Burnley got the best out of him..

Charlton Athletic secured the loan signing of Josh Cullen from West Ham United in January 2019, and it quickly became clear they had struck gold in doing so.

At a time when the Addicks were chasing promotion from League One, Cullen’s quality shone through instantaneously. His composure on the ball, his intelligence on and off the ball, and his tireless work rate off the ball transformed the balance of their midfield that year.

Charlton supporters still speak fondly of that spell. Cullen didn’t just add technical quality at the base of their midfield, but he also brought calm authority in possession and a relentless willingness to do the unglamorous work off the ball for the team. His dogged nature lended itself to the way Lee Bowyer wanted him to perform.

His ability to receive under pressure, dictate tempo, and keep attacks ticking over made him indispensable as Bowyer’s side surged towards the play-offs, eventually winning promotion at Wembley. He was the metronome and heartbeat of the team, which Burnley fans are also well aware of.

Josh Cullen was outstanding for Charlton Athletic and Burnley's Vincent Kompany

While Charlton fans saw a hugely effective midfielder, it was later that someone truly recognised the full scope of Cullen’s qualities as a deep-lying playmaker. When Man City and Belgium legend Vincent Kompany brought him to RSC Anderlecht in 2020, the Belgian coach built a system that allowed Cullen’s strengths to flourish.

In a possession-heavy side, Cullen became an even better metronome at the base of midfield. He was constantly available, recycling the ball intelligently and ensuring structure and balance remained intact. At a tender age, he was outstanding for the Belgian giants.

That partnership with a manager getting the best out of him continued when Kompany took charge of Burnley in 2022. Cullen followed him to Turf Moor and quickly became one of the most important pieces of the puzzle during Burnley’s remarkable transformation.

Operating as the deepest midfielder, Cullen’s role is subtle but crucial: he provides the platform for Burnley’s more attacking players by controlling rhythm. What made Cullen so valuable was not flashy numbers or headline-grabbing moments, but his remarkable consistency, availability, and reliability.

He rarely wastes possession, reads danger intelligently, and also positioned himself expertly to receive the ball from defenders. In many ways, he is the tactical glue that holds the side he is playing for together. Kompany knew that, Bowyer did too, but Bayern Munich's manager recognised it beyond any other manager Cullen has had.

His influence is also reflected in Burnley’s success during Kompany’s tenure. Cullen has been part of two promotions in three seasons with the Clarets, albeit the latter under Scott Parker's tutelage. It's a frankly remarkable achievement that underlines his importance to any footballing manager’s philosophy.

While others may attract attention for goals or creativity, Cullen quietly ensures the team functions exactly as intended. And yet, despite his consistent quality, Cullen still feels somewhat underappreciated outside of the clubs he has served.

Those who watch him regularly understand just how integral he is to the system. He is a player whose intelligence elevates those around him. That has been reflected with the 29-year-old becoming captain under Parker, with intangibles like leadership and character also evidently huge parts of what make Cullen what he is.

He has 47 caps for Ireland, but perhaps that should be far more given how outstanding he has been at club level since his loan to Charlton. Prior to that, Cullen had perhaps lacked some direction in terms of his career.

Burnley must now do all they can to retain Josh Cullen this summer

With relegation from the Premier League looking increasingly inevitable this season, Burnley now face a crucial decision regarding the futures of a number of players — including Cullen. He is approaching 30 in April and the final year of his contract this June.

However, now vastly experienced at both first and second tier level, the Irish international is exactly the type of player you want anchoring a promotion push in the Championship. His leadership and composure make him a natural cornerstone for a side aiming to rebuild quickly.

Burnley must therefore do everything possible to retain him. Cullen is a player to build around in the Championship; someone who understands the club's identity and recent philosophy, meaning he can set the tone for the entire team.

However, that may prove easier said than done. His pedigree, experience, consistency, and contract situation mean Premier League clubs could well take notice, particularly those seeking a reliable deep-lying midfielder capable of helping to dictate possession in a double-pivot or single-pivot role.

Burnley will undoubtedly hope Cullen remains the heartbeat of their midfield next season. But if interest arrives from the top flight, keeping hold of a player whose class has been evident ever since Charlton first uncovered it may become one of their toughest challenges. West Ham could do much worse than to have another look at their academy graduate.