Reported Sheffield United transfer target has already intimated he may make a January transfer exit despite lack of game-time.
Welsh international Chris Mepham has already expressed his desire to play more first-team games this year, after being linked with a January move to Sheffield United. The 26-year-old Bournemouth defender has made seven appearances for the Cherries this season, being substituted at halftime against QPR on January 6.
The Blades have been linked with the defender, who will be familiar to United coaches Alan Knill and Jack Lester from their time with the Welsh side, with The Sun reporting that interest in Anel Ahmedhodzic is “growing” amidst the Blades’ Premier League troubles. Boss Chris Wilder would be hesitant to lose the Bosnian, who he made captain after returning to Bramall Lane in early December, but he may sign Mepham to bolster his alternatives with John Egan and Chris Basham also injured. A domestic loan space has opened up with the announcement last week that Luke Thomas has returned to his parent club Leicester City after his loan spell at Bramall Lane was terminated prematurely.
Mepham, who has played nearly as many games for his country as he has for his club this season, wants to play more first-team football. Speaking to the BBC earlier this month, the former Brentford player said: “Individually, it’s challenging. I’ve been in this position several times before, with limited gaming time. Finally, when the squad is performing so well, there isn’t much you can do but keep pushing in training and see where it takes you.
“Naturally, you are more patient when the squad is performing well. You understand that a manager will not look to rotate a winning team; why would he? At the same time, pushing and asking questions demonstrates that you care. As a professional athlete, you train all week to compete on the weekend. If it does not happen, questions will be raised, and discussions will take place.”
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Mepham admitted he and his partner are settled on the south coast and that leaving the club he joined in 2019 would be a challenge, but he is keen to play and would seek the opportunity to do so elsewhere if he can’t force his way into Andoni Iraola’s plans as the Cherries continue their upward momentum, having won seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
Mepham has the potential carrot of a place at Euro 2024 on the horizon – Rob Page’s Wales face a play-off semi-final against Finland in March – to consider, and his unwillingness to sit on the bench and earn a wage will only endear him to Wilder, who has been keen to ensure that any new arrivals at Bramall Lane in this window have the attitude and ability to help them survive in the Premier League this season. United’s season returns this Saturday after a Christmas break, when they face West Ham at Bramall Lane.
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“You never want to really settle for being just a squad player that can come in once every now and then,” Mepham said in a statement. “I certainly consider myself to be better than that. It would not be in my nature to accept that. I’ve been at the club for a long time. At 26, I am definitely at the top of my football career. The next few years are crucial for me. I’m hoping to have the Euros in the summer. It is critical to play consistently week after week. If you are not obtaining the game time you want and need, you must be open to all possibilities.
“It’s always tricky. You start at the club under Eddie Howe in a stable environment. There is undoubtedly a big plan for me in the future. When such a significant change occurs, a few of managers arrive, and for whatever reason, you do not receive the nod. In contrast to previous season, I felt like I played a lot of games and performed well. There could be 101 things.
“I’m not upset with anyone, and I don’t carry that negativity. I’d like to think I’m a constructive influence around here, encouraging the guys. I will never stop being that guy. I just believe that sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that there may be a better fit for you elsewhere.
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