Sunderland Director of Football Kristjaan Speakman must surely know his next move after Chris Mepham’s recent comments.
Looking at Sunderland’s summer signings in the 2024/25 Championship season, they have been a resounding success.
Wilson Isidor, for example, currently finds himself as the third top scorer in the league, having initially arrived in a loan deal from Russian side Zenit before striking a permanent deal to commit his future to the Stadium of Light.
Another summer signing that has helped transform the Black Cats from the plucky and inexperienced side that finished 16th last season is Chris Mepham, who currently finds himself on loan from high-flying Premier League side Bournemouth.
Unlike with Isidor, Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman are yet to tie down the future of Mepham on Wearside, although the Welsh international’s recent comments may suggest that the wheels should be put in motion.
Chris Mepham open to the possibility of permanent Sunderland move amid future questions
This season, Mepham has predominantly been in the Sunderland side, occasionally dropping to the bench for Dan Ballard, with the Welshman starting 27 games in the Championship so far.
Last time out Mepham scored against Cardiff City, with the goal proving to be decisive in the 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light.
After the game, per Sunderland Echo, Mepham was asked about his future at the club and whether he sees himself in Wearside in the long term, to which he said: “For me, I’m trying to stay in the here and now and help this team get back to where we belong.
“Of course it does play on your mind naturally [where his future lies]. As humans, we do look to the future. For me, it’s been no different, and you do look at options that might be available to you in the summer. It’s also important to focus on the now.
“I’ve made it clear I love playing my football here. I love my connection I’ve made with my teammates and the staff and fans, and if it’s a possibility in the summer, it’s definitely one I’d be open to. But a lot has to happen before that.
“It did feel like a good fit coming here, and on the pitch, it’s gone really well as well. I’ve stayed injury-free, which, personally, is important. Just getting that exposure to football matches again has been great.”
Kristjaan Speakman must now strike a permanent deal for Chris Mepham after recent future comments
It is obvious that, based on Mepham’s recent comments over his future at the club, he has remained professional, but does certainly want to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light.
Unfortunately, Sunderland are likely to face competition from top-end Championship sides in the future, and potentially even lower-end Premier League teams, but the Black Cats could have an edge in proceedings, with the Welshman happy in Wearside.
For Kristjaan Speakman, he must surely now be lining up a decent offer for the defender to commit to the club after his loan spell concludes. The impact he has had this season at the back has been immense, offering depth, quality and experience, something that Sunderland did not have last season.