Ex-Brentford defender has a huge challenge next season

As a January signing, Chris Mepham might have expected that he'd have to wait some time to get into AFCB's side. In fact, he was thrown in fairly quickly when Steve Cook suffered a groin problem and a position next to Nathan Aké was vacant for him. It's been a reasonable start to his Bournemouth career, but it's only now that Mepham will find out is he has enough about him to become a permanent defender in AFCB's starting line up.

Chris Mepham has had a taste of the Premier League, but he'll have
more competition for place next season.

It was not unexpected that Mepham might make the odd mistake. He contributed though to some good defensive displays at a time when AFCB were fully stretched for players at the back. The return of Steve Cook to fitness though saw Mepham scrapping for attention with Jack Simpson, while an injury against Southampton in the 3-3 draw left Mepham as an onlooking sub in the last two games, although he did get on against Palace.

The start of next season holds no guarantees for him. Simon Francis will be back by mid-Autumn if all things go well for him and Eddie Howe will want to test the centre-backs more than ever looking at the disappointing amounts of goals that AFCB let in last season. While Steve Cook and Nathan Aké can be expected to get the first opportunity to play at centre-back, it will be a test of Mepham's character to see if he can keep his performance high, even if he is not getting many minutes. While he wants to keep his international appearances going for Wales, it may not be easy for him to keep in front of Ryan Giggs eye.

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That's why it is a huge season for Chris Mepham coming up and that's even before AFCB consider bringing any other additions into the team. Left-back Lloyd Kelly also has aspirations to eventually become a centre-back, which may be something Howe looks at least in training. Both Jack Simpson and Chris Mepham are going to be very much the young pretenders who can step in when needed at a moments notice, but that in itself merely adds to the pressure when you've not been getting games. Mepham might find the cup matches are going to be very important for him in 2018/19 and who knows he could find that he forms a good partnership with Simpson Francis or Jack Simpson in some of those games.. 

In other news, AFC have been linked to signing Tom Heaton, according to the Daily Mail who ays Heaton has rejecte a new contract at Burnley.