Chris Mepham has been a revelation at Sunderland, almost an unexpected one after the Bournemouth man joined as a back up player.
Sunderland almost rushed to sign Chris Mepham on loan from Bournemouth on deadline day last summer, following the injury to Dan Ballard.
But there’s an argument that Mepham has been Sunderland’s best summer signing. The Welshman has already featured 24 times in the Championship with Sunderland who sit in 4th place of the table.
Mepham has earned huge praise for his performances this season. His class and experience has been a welcome addition to the side with Mepham often a rock at the back.
That shows in the Black Cats’ defensive record: Regis Le Bris’ side have conceded just 26 goals in their opening 30 league games this season, with 13 clean sheets in total.
Mepham is currently set to return to parent club Bournemouth in the summer. But Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman may have other plans for the towering defender.
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Kristjaan Speakman hints at Chris Mepham signing at Sunderland
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Speakman has hinted at the club looking into a permanent deal for Mepham during the summer transfer window. His current Bournemouth contract expires in the summer but the Cherries have the option to extend it by a further year.
Speakman explained: “I think Chris’ situation is slightly different to Wilson’s. Chris has had an unbelievable impact, I was going to say the team but it would be better to say the football club. Because of the way he carries himself around the training ground, how he is as part of our leadership team even as a loan player.
“It just echoes how important he is and has been. I think that’s just a conversation we will pick up at the end of the season. From Chris’ perspective and from our perspective, and from Bournemouth’s perspective – that was always the plan.”
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Chris Mepham blasted after ‘stinker’ performance
Whilst Mepham has been a great addition to the side, he’s not been immune to the odd poor performance. Notably, journalist Michael Graham said Mepham had a ‘stinker’ against Plymouth Argyle in January.
He’s shored up since but Mepham really needs to maintain his best level throughout the second half of the season; not only to help Sunderland in the race for promotion but to give himself plenty of options ahead of the summer.
With Bournemouth flying high in the Premier League, they may choose to extend his contract and then offload him. After a good season at Sunderland, it’d be the optimal time to cash in. Bournemouth originally signed Mepham in a £12million deal from Brentford in 2019.
The Black Cats are back in action on Saturday afternoon with a Championship game against Watford at the Stadium of Light.