Everything you need to know about Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham ahead of his proposed move to Sunderland.
Sunderland’s deadline day has been extremely busy so far. The Black Cats’ pursuit of Tom Cannon has come to an end as Stoke City are expected to win the race for his signature.
However, Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana has been linked to Sunderland as a potential alternative option up top.
On top of this, Regis Le Bris’ side are now rumoured to be making a late move for defender Mepham.
Below Sunderland AFC News has highlighted all the information you need to know about the centre-back ahead of the potential move.
Read more: Who is David Datro Fofana? The Chelsea striker linked with a late Sunderland move.
Chris Mepham age and height
Mepham was born on November 5, 1997. At the time of writing, this makes him 26 years old. He also stands at 1.93 metres which is six foot four inches.
Where was he born?
Mepham was born in Harrow in Greater London, England.
What positions can Chris Mepham play?
In his career so far, Mepham has been mainly utilised as a centre-half. However, he can also play both right-back and left-back.
Who does Chris Mepham currently play for?
Mepham has spent the last five and a half years playing for Premier League outfit Bournemouth. During this period, he has made 121 appearances, including 61 in the top flight.
What are Chris Mepham’s biggest feats?
When he was younger, Mepham was seen as a big upcoming talent. The defender joined Chelsea’s academy when he was 10 years old before he moved to Brentford when he was 14.
At the Bees, he continued to impress and was named the Brentford B Player of the Year for the 2016/17 campaign. After making his professional debut in the same season, Mepham went on to make 48 appearances in all competitions for the capital club before earning a move to Bournemouth for £12 million.
The start of his career at the Cherries was less fruitful, and in his first full season, he helped oversee the club’s relegation to the Championship.
However, after losing in the playoffs during the 2020/21 season, Mepham helped Bournemouth achieve a second-place finish in the Championship to secure promotion.
The defender has since been a valued player in the Premier League, making an additional 36 appearances since their return to the top flight.
Chris Mepham stats
According to Fbref, Mepham is an exceptional defender. On average, he is performing 1.84 tackles, 1.84 blocks, 4.61 clearances and winning 4.45 aerial duels per game.
The defender is also very creative given his position in the field. He is averaging 0.15 assists and 1.38 shot-creating actions per match.
How does Chris Mepham qualify to play for Wales?
Despite being born in England, Mepham plays for the Welsh national team. This is thanks to his grandmother on his father’s side being from the nation, allowing him to play for Cymru.
How many caps does he have?
At the time of writing, Mepham has collected 46 caps for Wales. This includes appearances at the 2020 Euros and the 2022 World Cup.
Are Sunderland going to sign Chris Mepham?
On the final day of the transfer window, Sunderland were linked with a late move for Mepham. The Welshman is expected to join the club on loan with the deal not including the option to buy.