“I’d definitely be keen” – Sunderland AFC backed to make fresh Bournemouth deal

This article is part of Football League World’s “Terrace Talk” series, in cui our FLW Fan Pundits give their personal opinions on the latest news, teams, players, managers, possible signings, and other subjects.

Dopo aver giocato nove incontri, Sunderland AFC ha avuto un inizio eccellente nella 2024/25 Championship season.

In spite della loro giovane e giovane formazione, The Black Cats have perso solo due partite e hanno raccolto 19 points, che li portano al vertice della seconda divisione.

In poco tempo con il club, Regis Le Bris ha fatto un ottimo lavoro al Stadium of Light. Dopo aver avuto alcuni problemi in September, ha l’obiettivo di tornare dalla pausa internazionale in una posizione migliore rispetto a quando hanno iniziato.

However, with loanee Chris Mepham arriving into the team in recent weeks after signing from AFC Bournemouth in summer, there is reason to believe they can recover from their win of just two wins in five.

In the last four Championship games, the 26-year-old has played every minute, assisting Sunderland in keeping two clean sheets in their two victories in that run. Dopo le sue prime prestazioni, ci sono dubbi se il difensore rimarrà definitivamente nel nord-est dopo la fine della stagione.

Sunderland dovrebbe insistere per un accordo permanente per Mepham.

It was not a surprise to see Mepham loaned out for the current season after making only 10 appearances in the Premier League for his parent club, Bournemouth, in 2023/24. However, in his first four matches, he has not shown signs of being tired.

A pesare del fatto che in questi ultimi anni non ha fatto molto apparizioni nel roster della squadra della South Coast, ha accumulato una notevole quantità di esperienza in both the Premier League and the Championship, accumulando più di 150 apparizioni in entrambe le campionati since iniziando a giocare per Brentford nel 2017.

Football League World ha chiesto a Jack Austwicke, il fan pundit di Sunderland, se desidera che il defender venga signed in modo permanente a causa di questo aspetto del suo gioco che lo rende così importante per Le Bris’ team.

“Based off so far, 100%,” Jack started.He is only 26 years old, but that is a sufficient amount of experience for us, and he appears to be a good player.

He looks a lot more experienced than he is, but I suppose that comes with playing so many games at the top level, and I have enjoyed watching him.”

Ha continuato dicendo:I believe that whoever is with him, either O’Nien or Ballard, looks attractive next to both of them, and I would really like to see us sign him.

“If we were to go up this year, he’d definitely be a statement signing and a sign of intent, and I don’t think it’d be a hefty fee.”

Mepham’s Championship knowledge will be crucial to Sunderland’s promotion ambitions

Not many had predicted Sunderland to be an early challenger for promotion, with it being Le Bris’ first job in England, as well as the factor of losing Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town in the transfer window.

But, the young side already look to be coping without their talisman from last season, and the addition of Mepham has only strengthened them at the back.

The 26-year-old already has one promotion to the Premier League to his name with Bournemouth, and reached the play-offs with the Cherries a year earlier, in 2020/21.

Having a player like him will be vital in the coming months as the schedule becomes more packed and the games start to come thick and fast.

Following this international break, the Championship will pause just once more until March, and it will be at that point that momentum truly takes hold as the league table starts to take shape.

If Mepham can continue to perform at the level he has done so far, and helps take Sunderland up to the Premier League, then it makes complete sense for the Black Cats to sign the centre-back permanently.