Chris-Mempham-Player

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham admits surprise after defeat to West Ham #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 25, 2023

Hammers opened scores after five minutes, Michail Antonio heading home unopposed at a corner, before the away side made it 2-0 on 12 minutes through Lucas Paqueta. Declan Rice crashed home a third from another corner minutes before the break, substitute Pablo Fornals adding a fourth in the second period. Talking to Sky Sports, Mepham shared: “Weird game really. “I felt like we probably felt in complete control, had a lot of the ball, started the game well and then just set pieces killed us. “It’s something we’ve put a lot of work into and we’ve been aware we’re not good enough dealing with them set pieces and today showed again – two balls in the box and two goals and you’ve got a mountain to climb against a very stubborn West Ham team. “We need to do more to make sure we’re not in that position but I felt like that was the difference today. I don’t think in general play there was much in it either way. Just shows the importance of set pieces at this level.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on win over Leicester City in relegation battle #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan April 10, 2023

Restored to the starting XI following the injury to Marcos Senesi, Welsh international Mepham put in an assured performance at centre-half to help Cherries defeat the Foxes at the King Power on Saturday. After being omitted from the squad for the fixtures directly preceding the trip to Leicester, a win over Fulham and defeat to Brighton, the former Brentford man seamlessly slotted back into the side. Discussing the result with BBC Radio Solent, Mepham began: “It's a massive win. Although we lost last game, I think we're in a good place at the minute. “I think even against Brighton, we caused them some problems, probably not as much as what we would have wanted. “Coming here today, we know it's a massive game and it was important that we were at our 100 per cent best to get anything from the game. “And I thought from minute one, we stamped our authority. “I thought first half especially, we controlled the game, I thought it was in complete control. “And then second half, we knew they were going to come out with a reaction and it was just a case of, could we sustain that pressure and limit them to a few chances. “And I thought we'd done that very well. “I think any game’s obviously important, but when you're playing teams around you, there's a lot of people that see them as six pointers. “It is important and like I said, I think we can enjoy this week. I thought we worked really hard (against Leicester) and now we just need to make sure we keep our foot on the pedal and go again next Saturday.”A peripheral figure under Scott Parker in the Championship last term, Mepham re-established himself as a first-team regular before again losing his spot to Jack Stephens following the break for the World Cup in November. Asked about the challenges of being thrown straight back into the thick of it following a spell out of the team, Mepham replied: “It’s tough. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and mentally, it's tough to go from sat in the stands to starting a game. “But I think one thing I've learned from this when I've been here before is that it's so important just to stay ready. “ I think you drop your standards in training, it will show in the match when you do get called upon. “So I think the way I've gone about it and the way I've trained since being left out of squads, I think it's given me an opportunity to, one, be in the squad and two, do well when I'm called upon. “And I think it's important that everyone sees it like that, however frustrating it is.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on Manchester City defeat #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan March 1, 2023

Welsh international Mepham returned to the starting XI for the first time since the trip to Brighton at the weekend, playing the full 90 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 4-1 winners over Cherries at the Vitality Stadium. ANALYSIS | Cherries' game plan against City was the right approach but let down by mistakes Although his team were well beaten, Mepham expressed how he thought their attacking threat boded well for future games. Speaking after the match, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “It was a tough game, coming up against one of the best teams in the world and we knew that we'd have to suffer for large periods. “I think we would have liked to maybe stay 0-0 as long as possible, try to get to half-time and then it puts a bit more pressure on them to make something happen. “But when they get an early goal it's always uphill back from there. But with that being said, we stuck with it. I thought in the second half we created some chances and looked a threat going forward. “I think you take big belief from that because not many teams can do that against Man City. So yeah, obviously disappointed but positive as always.” Cherries’ attacking threat was undermined by the cheapness of the goals they conceded to the current Premier League Champions. Hamed Traore’s loss of possession in his own half proved costly, with the Cherries defence unable to reset in time to prevent Julian Alvarez from converting the opener. Similarly, the 25-year-old will not like to watch the second goal back, with the defender bypassed by Nathan Ake’s throughball that saw Ilkay Gundogan peel off Mepham and find Phil Foden at the back stick, which eventually led to Erling Haaland powering home. Philip Billing did not cover himself in glory for the third, his misplaced pass allowing Foden to swoop in and score past Neto, before Mepham suffered the ignominy of an own goal, the defender unfortunate as his attempt to block Alvarez’s shot bounced into his own net. Discussing City’s ability to penalise opposition’s mistakes, Mepham restarted: “I think that's why they are where they are. “It doesn't take a lot for them to capitalise on something. “One split moment of not concentrating or someone being dragged out in the wrong position and you get punished. “And it felt like pretty much every big chance they had they scored and that's really frustrating. “But yeah, we'll review it and see where we are.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham admits Cherries had to make use of ‘dominance’ against Saints #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan October 21, 2022

DEFENDER Chris Mepham felt Cherries deserved at least a point, after their defeat against Saints brought their unbeaten run to an end. The centre-back played 90 minutes of his team’s 1-0 reverse at Vitality Stadium, with Che Adams’s ninth-minute header proving the difference for the St Mary’s side to seal the spoils. Cherries, who were six games unbeaten going into the contest, had more of the ball and more shots than Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men on the night. But the hosts failed to fashion many clear-cut opportunities, allowing their south coast neighbours to dig in for victory. Assessing the contest, Wales international Mepham said: “I thought we dominated the second half, especially. “The first half was probably quite even and we came out second half, committed a lot of bodies forward – had a lot of possession, created a lot of half-chances but probably not anything clear cut enough to get us properly back into the game. “We showed our character in the second half to stick with it. They frustrated us but on another day, one goal suddenly turns the game on it’s head and we can get back into it.” Quizzed on whether he felt his side deserved at least a draw, Mepham said: “I think so. If you were to look at the game as a whole, we dominated. “We had them pinned in their half pretty much for 40 minutes out of 45 (in the second half). “They had a spell right towards the end where we looked a bit tired but I felt like me, Marcos (Senesi), Adam Smith were in their half the whole time. “I think that shows the dominance we had in the second half. We just need to work on putting half-chances to bed and ultimately making use of that dominance.” Mepham was involved in a flashpoint towards the end of the first half during the contest. He appeared to make a sliding challenge on Ainsley Maitland-Niles with the ball having already gone out of play. Both players squared up in the aftermath and received cautions from referee John Brooks. “I think the ball was kind of going out of play and I’d already committed to making the tackle,” said the Cherries defender. “The lad probably felt like it was quite a lot out of the pitch. “I think sometimes you need something like that just to get the crowd going and get everyone going – it is what it is.” Asked whether it showed the passion in the game between two south coast clubs, Mepham replied: “Yeah, exactly that.” Cherries’ next test comes against West Ham on Monday evening (8pm).

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Cherries player Chris Mepham wants to ‘stay professional’ when facing international teammates #AFCB

By Premier League Museum Admin October 8, 2022

CHRIS Mepham is all business when it comes to Cherries taking on Leicester on Saturday, with the defender fully focused on the task at hand despite coming up against international teammate Danny Ward. Leicester goalkeeper Ward and Mepham have shared a pitch 17 times for Wales, with both players frequent members of international squads since 2018. After the departure of captain Kasper Schmeichel this summer, Ward has stepped up to become first choice goalkeeper, paving the way for the first time the pair will have faced each other as opponents. When asked if he would be making conversation prior to the game, the centre-back shared: “I think you're constantly playing teams where there's players that you know. “An example, there were lads that I played with at Brentford, and you kind of need to put that to one side and speak to them after the game. “But in the build up to it, and whilst you're out there it’s business, and that’s that. “I’m sure we’ll have a laugh and a joke after the game, but up until then it’s staying professional.” One reason why Mepham might be in contact with Welsh teammates is the prospect of swapping stickers to complete the official World Cup album by Panini. When asked if he was taking part in the cult tradition surrounding international tournaments, Mepham responded: “No, it's too time consuming for me, to be honest. “I know a few of the lads are keen, but I'm not one that's massively into it. “Hopefully I'm on that flight to Qatar and when I'm on that flight, I'll really be looking forward to it. “There's a lot of games between now and then, and that needs to be the focus for me. "Keep fit, keep putting in performances and hopefully it puts me in a really good position coming into the World Cup.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham speaks on battle for starting berth #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan October 5, 2022

CHRIS Mepham is aware that he has to keep his performance levels high with positional rivals waiting in the wings – revealing how he always backed himself to get back into the starting XI. In the last two seasons in the Championship, Mepham played less than half of Cherries’ league fixtures, usually finding himself either on the bench or out of the squad completely. Whilst skipper Lloyd Kelly is currently sidelined, fellow centre-back Marcos Senesi has found his feet after joining from Feyenoord this summer. Deadline day signing Jack Stephens is hot on the heels of the starting defenders, with Mepham more than familiar with having to wait for his chance. The 24-year-old told the Daily Echo: “I've been on the receiving end of it over the past couple of seasons, where it’s me waiting for my opportunity and waiting to go in and it was someone else keeping me out of the team. “And however cut-throat that is, I just need to make sure that I keep my shirt and keep putting in performances and staying in that team. “Because ultimately we're all human, we’re all footballers, and we want to be out there every Saturday. “The onus is now on me to do that. I feel like I started the season well, but I think many (become) complacent and switch off. “Someone else is waiting to get the opportunity.” Since securing his spot in the starting eleven, the Welsh international has signed a new deal at Cherries. Clearly settled on the south coast, the former Brentford man was keen to force his way back into the first-team picture. He continued: “It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel or such when you've had a couple of seasons and not been in the team. “But I've always sort of kept believing myself. “I've always done things properly around the place and been a good professional and tried to make sure that I'm ready when called upon. “I feel like this season is a turning point for me and I'm keen to keep that going.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham reveals he is ready to step up and lead Cherries backline #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan September 29, 2022

CHRIS Mepham is prepared to step up and help lead the Cherries backline in the absence of captain Lloyd Kelly. Just 24 years of age, Mepham is one of the Dorset club’s more experienced defenders when it comes to the Premier League, with only right-backs Adam Smith and Ryan Fredericks featuring in more games than Mepham’s 32 top-flight appearances. Only Ryan Christie has more international caps than Mepham, with the Scot representing his country 34 times compared to the defender’s 32 appearances for Wales. When asked if he felt that there would be pressure to help lead Cherries if Kelly remained on the side-lines, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “Looking at the backline, Smudge (Adam Smith) has got tons of experience, but aside from that you’ve got JZ (Jordan Zemura), first season at this level, Marcos (Senesi), new to this country, this way of playing. “I think there is a little bit of onus on me to be the one to drive us forward. “With Lloyd out for however long he is, there is going to be a lot more ownership on me. “I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully I can embrace it.” Mepham recently signed a new deal to remain at the Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2026 following the Welsh international re-establishing himself as a fixture in the first-team. With a new contract already in the bag, Mepham is keen to keep kicking on further. He restarted: “I keep my foot on the pedal. “I’ve waited so long to have an opportunity, a run of games, and fortunately for me I’ve had this run of games now. “I feel good, I feel fit. I feel like I’m getting better game by game. “It’s down to me now to stay in that team. It’s the level I feel I belong at, it’s nice that I can sort of showcase myself.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s defensive duo Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham on new signing Marcos Senesi #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan August 17, 2022

DEFENSIVE duo Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham are looking forward to playing with new signing Marcos Senesi – with both centre-backs enthusing about the quality of the Argentine international. Senesi became Cherries’ fifth signing of the summer when he arrived from Dutch side Feyenoord for a reported €15 million, bolstering a threadbare back three that had previously seen midfielder Jefferson Lerma deployed as a central-defender. The 25-year-old came off the bench on Saturday against Manchester City to make his Cherries debut, with his new head coach Scott Parker labelling his cameo as “exceptional”. READ MORE: Senesi’s fellow centre-backs similarly held praise for their new teammate, with club captain Kelly telling the Daily Echo: “He's come in and settled in well. “Of course, everyone knows what quality he has, what he brings to the squad and he'll get the opportunity to show that, 100 per cent. “You’ve seen that when he did come on (against City), that he's comfortable on the ball, he's willing to find passes, and it's just another person that we can rely on, as a squad.” Mepham was also impressed by the former San Lorenzo man, sharing: “He looks very good. Left-footed, lovely on the ball. “I think you saw that when he came on (Saturday). Composure in certain moments to play out from the back, and I think we’re going to need that this year. “Personality to get on the ball and be brave in certain moments. “I thought at 3-0 down, it’s important that we try and express ourselves in our own way and I thought we tried to get on the ball, especially in the second half. I think that’s going to be important going forward.” With the switch to three at the back and the arrival of Senesi, there has been some discussion to where the new signing will play in the back three. Skipper Kelly seemed to hint he will operate in the middle of the defence. Kelly, who is also left-footed, believes having a fellow leftie in the team will take some getting used to. He mentioned: “Personally, it's different to playing with a right-footer in the middle of a back three, of course, because most of the time you want to open out on the right foot. “So maybe where the majority of the play is coming down the right-hand side, with Marcos in the middle, that it may come down the left-hand side a little bit more. “But saying that, we'll just have to see what happens.” Senesi will be hoping for his first Premier League start this weekend, when Arsenal visit the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 5:30pm).

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Cherries Welsh Center Back Chris Mepham discusses battle with Man City superstar Erling Haaland #MCFC #AFCB

By Kanak Chauhan August 16, 2022

CHRIS Mepham felt Cherries kept superstar striker Erling Haaland "fairly quiet", but admitted Manchester City were "in cruise control" on Saturday. All eyes were on the Norwegian frontman, as he made his home debut for City, following his £51million switch from Borussia Dortmund. But he made just eight touches during the contest, before being substituted on 74 minutes as City eased to a 4-0 victory over Scott Parker's men, with Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden among the scorers. Of those eight touches, two were passes, one of which an assist for Gundogan's opener. No player has started a game for Man City under Pep Guardiola and completed fewer than two passes. Asked if keeping out the 22-year-old, who netted twice on the opening day against West Ham United, can be viewed as a minor victory for him as a centre-back, Mepham told the Daily Echo: "Yeah, I think so. "He’s kind of like an all-round striker. Very physical, quick, direct. "So he’s got a lot of attributes and I think ultimately we kind of kept him fairly quiet. "But, of course, you keep someone like him quiet and then you’ve got the likes of (Kevin) De Bruyne, (Phil) Foden, (Bernardo) Silva coming on, (Jack) Grealish, that can create those moments of quality and you saw that with De Bruyne (on Saturday). "He’s got real quality in those sort of areas and he can hurt you. We would’ve liked to keep most of their players quiet, but it’s obviously a big ask." Reflecting on the game as a whole, which saw Cherries fall behind on 17 minutes, before going 3-0 down by half-time, Mepham added: "I think in an ideal world, you’d hold on to a draw for a bit longer. The longer it stays 0-0, I feel like they need to come out. "But as soon as they got the first goal, I think they were pretty much in cruise control. They scored a couple of goals after that, which is obviously very disappointing. "You know going into the game they’ve got players of huge quality, all throughout their team. "So you know they’re going to create chances. Unfortunately a few of those chances turned into goals. "I think they showed their quality and then obviously 3-0 down at half-time, it’s obviously a big ask to get anything from the game." Discussing the side's performance in the second half, keeping the game competitive with goalkeeper Mark Travers only beaten again by a late Jefferson Lerma own goal, Mepham said: "At half-time 3-0 down, you can either crumble and go into your shell, or you can embrace it and try to enjoy the challenge of playing against these world-class players. "I think in the second half we very much did that. We tried to limit them to few chances and I thought we dug in deep. "It’s not an easy one, but I thought we gave a good account of ourselves." Cherries will look to get back on track when they welcome Arsenal to Vitality Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).