Any news on Ben Mee ?

[Bowclaret]

Not seen or heard nothing regarding Ben. Any news on where he could end up ?

Would love there to be a massive U Turn and re sign him - this great bunch of young new players would benefit massively from his experience!

A club out there is going to get one hell of a leader !

[boatshed bill]

Leicester. I was told this in December.
I guess it's all down to terms

[Elizabeth]

Would love there to be a massive U Turn and re sign him - this great bunch of young new players would benefit massively from his experience!

Now that would be a big boost but it's hard to imagine it happening. Strange things happen but this would be stranger than fiction but massively welcomed

[Shaggy]

I can’t see any premier league club signing him, especially as a first team player.

[colne-claret]

Given the type of centre backs that Kompany has signed so far I’m not sure Ben Mee would fit in to Kompanys system. Imagine he ends up as a squad player at a Leicester or Villa or someone like that.

[Vegas Claret]

Too good to be a squad player but I hope he gets a PL club. Would be very strange to see him playing for someone like Boro

[ClaretTony]

Given the type of centre backs that Kompany has signed so far I’m not sure Ben Mee would fit in to Kompanys system. Imagine he ends up as a squad player at a Leicester or Villa or someone like that.

I think not fitting in with Kompany’s system might be the reason he’s left.

[Shaggy]

I think not fitting in with Kompany’s system might be the reason he’s left.

I think that’s his problem for any premier league club aswell. The fashion is to have ball playing defenders which isn’t Ben Mee who is a throwback centre half.

Mee would need to go and play under a Dyche/Pulis/Allardyce type of manager.

[fatboy47]

If nobody in the top tier adopts Dyche's trench warfare gameplan then Ben will be a Championship defender from hereon in.
Top bloke and an absolute legend, but despite rumours of deals offered at Turf Moor I'd be fairly certain that VK has told him that he won't be figuring this season.

[NRC]

I think not fitting in with Kompany’s system might be the reason he’s left.

Then that’s a very strong statement regarding Kompany’s system, that even at championship level ball-playing CB would out-skill him and his experience. I can imagine that within the system, or at least the squad, given CB have permission to bring the ball forward that there would be room for a CB that acts as a sweeper….and Ben would be suited to that

[Indecisive]

Sure I’d heard when the season ended a deal had been pretty much agreed.

Maybe Kompany didn’t fancy him taking up what would likely be one of the higher wages.

Could be a mixture of that and him not fitting into the system.

Also he was such an influential character. He’d been stepping into a coaching role at the end. Kompany is really changing things and you couldn’t blame him for wanting his own ‘key’ staff and players.

[Stayingup]

Sure I’d heard when the season ended a deal had been pretty much agreed.

Maybe Kompany didn’t fancy him taking up what would likely be one of the higher wages.

Could be a mixture of that and him not fitting into the system.

Also he was such an influential character. He’d been stepping into a coaching role at the end. Kompany is really changing things and you couldn’t blame him for wanting his own ‘key’ staff and players.

Was he offered deal at Burnley? Its nebulous. No proof whether he was or wasnt from what I've read. He needs to get something soon as pre season is underway now.

[TickTock]

If nobody in the top tier adopts Dyche's trench warfare gameplan then Ben will be a Championship defender from hereon in.
Top bloke and an absolute legend, but despite rumours of deals offered at Turf Moor I'd be fairly certain that VK has told him that he won't be figuring this season.

Its not a rumour Ben was offered a contract as reported by the athletic a tier one source he chose not to take that offer for reasons that thus far remain unknown, but based on who Ben is and his character, reasons I am sure are justified

[Swizzlestick]

I’d say a team like Leicester are crying out for a defender like Mee, especially considering their abysmal record at defending set pieces. I do think the style of play thing can be over egged - while not the most technically gifted, he can pass a ball a few yards.

[TickTock]

Was he offered deal at Burnley? Its nebulous. No proof whether he was or wasnt from what I've read. He needs to get something soon as pre season is underway now.

He was the athletic said hes was and thus thats probably very accurate and I have seen any news reports that say he wasnt offered a contract

[Bin Ont Turf]

I did hear that he is going to be taking Rocky's position on Harry Potts Way.

He's been in training and has been practising his.... COME ON YOU BASTADS, GET YOUR GOLDEN GAMBLE! SUPER BURNLEY, SUPER BURNLEY!

[Awayfromburnley]

Great bloke.

Categorically not good enough for Leicester though.

[Steve1956]

I think he's moved on from football and opened a takeaway

FB_IMG_1657395518752.jpg (172.42 KiB) Viewed 8937 times

[Quicknick]

A hugely successful player in SDs system, but would he look as good anywhere else?

[boatshed bill]

A hugely successful player in SDs system, but would he look as good anywhere else?

My Leicester chum suggested that he'd be a fantastic squad member.
which I am sure he would be.

[Goobs]

He'd make a good buffalo to someone's gazelle.

[Jamesy]

Some of the comments on this thread are laughable. Ben has been one of the most consistent Centre Backs in the Premier League every season he has played in it.
A Premier League team will sign him on because they will know what they are getting, a proven no nonsense robust centre half. And a leader to boot.
I look at Jonny Evans in the same mould although Evans is a better player with the ball at his feet. With Jonny Evans you know exactly what you are getting and the same applies to Ben. He has at least a couple of good years in him yet and at the top level.

[BurnleyFC]

The idea that these new centre halves are suddenly going to be better than Ben Mee is pure fantasy.

If Kompany did reject the opportunity to re-sign him because he wouldn’t fit into his system then I think it’s a really daft move.

[Spijed]

My Leicester chum suggested that he'd be a fantastic squad member.
which I am sure he would be.

As an organiser and being a great defender he's very good at Premier league level.

As a player comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing it around at the back he's Championship level.

[fatboy47]

Some of the comments on this thread are laughable. Ben has been one of the most consistent Centre Backs in the Premier League every season he has played in it.
A Premier League team will sign him on because they will know what they are getting, a proven no nonsense robust centre half. And a leader to boot.
I look at Jonny Evans in the same mould although Evans is a better player with the ball at his feet. With Jonny Evans you know exactly what you are getting and the same applies to Ben. He has at least a couple of good years in him yet and at the top level.

I love Ben... But

He's a stopper, and a lumper.
The games moved on. (thankfully)
They won't pay 50k a week anymore for a good bloke in the dressing room.
I haven't noticed a queue forming.

[Jamesy]

I love Ben... But

He's a stopper, and a lumper.
The games moved on. (thankfully)
They won't pay 50k a week anymore for a good bloke in the dressing room.
I haven't noticed a queue forming.

To think United paid 80 million for a stopper who isn’t actually that good and is not even a good bloke in the dressing room.
You are partly correct in that he is a stopper, but players like this usually complement a ball playing centre half.
Let’s wait and see who signs him in the next couple of weeks.

[jrgbfc]

Some of the comments on this thread are laughable. Ben has been one of the most consistent Centre Backs in the Premier League every season he has played in it.
A Premier League team will sign him on because they will know what they are getting, a proven no nonsense robust centre half. And a leader to boot.
I look at Jonny Evans in the same mould although Evans is a better player with the ball at his feet. With Jonny Evans you know exactly what you are getting and the same applies to Ben. He has at least a couple of good years in him yet and at the top level.

Playing in a team that was basically setup to give him as much protection as possible. He won't get a regular game at any other Premier League side.

[Top Claret]

You would think that he would be training with some club or other to keep his fitness levels up

[Nori1958]

Some of the comments on this thread are laughable. Ben has been one of the most consistent Centre Backs in the Premier League every season he has played in it.
A Premier League team will sign him on because they will know what they are getting, a proven no nonsense robust centre half. And a leader to boot.
I look at Jonny Evans in the same mould although Evans is a better player with the ball at his feet. With Jonny Evans you know exactly what you are getting and the same applies to Ben. He has at least a couple of good years in him yet and at the top level.

I think you defeated your own argument comparing him to Evans, then saying Evans is better with his feet, which is exactly Mee's downfall, and the reason there won't be a queue of Premier league teams lining up to sign him,certainly not as a starter

[tiger76]

Ben Mee was great for us, but we need to move on, and Ben is ageing, increasingly irony prone, plus he would have been one of if not our highest earner in the Championship.

Thankfully the days of renewing contracts of our over 30's are slowly coming to an end, and the club is moving in a totally different direction recruitment wise, yes that carries an element of risk, but so does holding onto players past their prime.

I hope Ben Mee does get himself a club, Leicester have been heavily linked, but he may find himself as a squad player if he goes there.

[Jamesy]

I think you defeated your own argument comparing him to Evans, then saying Evans is better with his feet, which is exactly Mee's downfall, and the reason there won't be a queue of Premier league teams lining up to sign him,certainly not as a starter

Didn’t defeat my own argument I was comparing Ben with Evans in terms of reliable centre halves who have been around a while. Football is subjective and my opinion of Ben’s ability and worth clearly differ to yours. So I won’t waste time arguing the toss over it I will just agree to differ thanks.

[Stayingup]

Ben Mee was great for us, but we need to move on, and Ben is ageing, increasingly irony prone, plus he would have been one of if not our highest earner in the Championship.

Thankfully the days of renewing contracts of our over 30's are slowly coming to an end, and the club is moving in a totally different direction recruitment wise, yes that carries an element of risk, but so does holding onto players past their prime.

I hope Ben Mee does get himself a club, Leicester have been heavily linked, but he may find himself as a squad player if he goes there.

I would think.that if he is getting well paid and has a suitably decent length contract he won't mind being a squad player. As a poster mentioned some time ago he has been playing fewer games season on seaon due to injuries coming more regularly.

[TickTock]

Where was it widely reported? Can you point me in the direction where I can see it officially in writing?

"The Athletic has learned that Burnley are expecting Mee to leave this summer and not sign a new contract. The centre-back is understood to have options of where to go next." - The Athletic Says in black and white theirs a contract on the table and in fact goes on to state in the article there were several offers he turned them all down originally in favour on focusing on staying up but in the end because prem teams were interested in him.

[bfcjg]

Ben played in a team set up to launch it forward,I think it's rather disingenuous to say he can't pass the ball short distances or isn't comfortable with it, we hardly had midfielders dropping deep to get the ball. Ok he is no Van Dijk but he is certainly not a Maguire.

[fatboy47]

"The Athletic has learned that Burnley are expecting Mee to leave this summer and not sign a new contract. The centre-back is understood to have options of where to go next." - The Athletic Says in black and white theirs a contract on the table and in fact goes on to state in the article there were several offers he turned them all down originally in favour on focusing on staying up but in the end because prem teams were interested in him.

Offers no doubt made before the sudden removal of Dyche and the arrival of a new philosophy.

I suspect BM will have strung out the negotiations (he's got previous) and been caught out by the Dyche sacking and the arrival of a new messiah.

Only a theory.

[TickTock]

Offers no doubt made before the sudden removal of Dyche and the arrival of a new philosophy.

I suspect BM will have strung out the negotiations (he's got previous) and been caught out by the Dyche sacking and the arrival of a new messiah.

Only a theory.

Oh no doubt I was simply criticising all those on here who were speculating that Kompany didnt want him trying to make it about Kompany or Pace yet again when it was entirely Ben's decision to leave according to "tier 1 sources".

[Rileybobs]

Ben played in a team set up to launch it forward,I think it's rather disingenuous to say he can't pass the ball short distances or isn't comfortable with it, we hardly had midfielders dropping deep to get the ball. Ok he is no Van Dijk but he is certainly not a Maguire.

Maguire is a lot better on the ball than Mee. Mee improved in possession over the years but he was regularly targeted by the opposition press.

[Hipper]

I think he's moved on from football and opened a takeaway

FB_IMG_1657395518752.jpg

In a long line of Burnley centre backs that owned food outlets.

[ClaretTony]

Oh no doubt I was simply criticising all those on here who were speculating that Kompany didnt want him trying to make it about Kompany or Pace yet again when it was entirely Ben's decision to leave according to "tier 1 sources".

Is that so?

[TickTock]

Is that so?

It is read my earlier post in reference to the Athletics article its not up for debate its a fact Mee didnt want to stay because he had premier league interest he turned down the contract offers on the table

[Paul Waine]

Ben Mee has been a great player for Burnley and played a key part in the club getting promoted to the Premier League and the club staying there for 6 seasons. His contract ended on 30th June. Ben Mee was offered a new contract by the club to extend his stay. However, the club were relegated at the end of last season and Ben was out injured for the last few games. His new contract would have reflected relegation, offering wages at Championship level. Ben Mee is older, an experienced footballer and still worth a place in a Premier League team. He will want to be paid Premier League wages. Thus Ben Mee is looking for a Premier League club.

That's all there is. Ben Mee not signing a new contract at Burnley has everything to do with the league the club is in. It has got nothing to do with Vincent Kompany being the club's new manager or the new style of football VK plans to getting the team playing.

UTC

[ClaretFelix]

He wasn't offered one and wanted to stay

[Shaggy]

Why do people get so flustered and sensitive with other peoples opinions?

I get that Ben has been a great servant for us, however he is limited especially for a team who wants to play a bit more expansive football. He doesn’t have the pace or technical ability to play in a team in the premier league who does not full on defend deep and narrow.

With regards to the did Mee leave or did VK not want him, no one really knows so why get worked up over it.

[warksclaret]

Regardless of whether he was offered a contract or not, and however good and loyal he was for us, I have a feeling that there will not be too many offers for him in the PL.Being free , if there was strong interest, he would have moved by now, in order to integrate into that team's pre season. By contrast Tarks , also a free agent, had agreed a deal within weeks of our last game. If he does move to another PL team, he will not enjoy the same loyalty as afforded by Dyche. You can play well in the PL yet be rested or dropped next game, quite easily. I hope he gets sorted soon, but hope for him its not in the Championship, which is where I suspect,the most interest will come from

[ecc]

One of the promoted clubs? Or as back-up at a club like Leicester.

[warksclaret]

ECC-I think Leicester is a possibility but they have Forfana as the main defender, and rely on Evans, Soyuncu , Vestergard, Amarti, and at times Indidi. All of them are squad players, so the starting two are any of the three of Amarti, Evans and Forfana (or all 3 in a back three). THey need to get someone that is good enough to go straight into the team, and not a squad player. Bournemouth are covered at CH, and I doubt Ben would move to the south coast or Fulham.

[Bowclaret]

Would not surprise me if we see him lining up against us early this season.

And not in the know just an assumption !

[tiger76]

Regardless of whether he was offered a contract or not, and however good and loyal he was for us, I have a feeling that there will not be too many offers for him in the PL.Being free , if there was strong interest, he would have moved by now, in order to integrate into that team's pre season. By contrast Tarks , also a free agent, had agreed a deal within weeks of our last game. If he does move to another PL team, he will not enjoy the same loyalty as afforded by Dyche. You can play well in the PL yet be rested or dropped next game, quite easily. I hope he gets sorted soon, but hope for him its not in the Championship, which is where I suspect,the most interest will come from

Excellent point you'd think if Mee had interested PL clubs he'd have been snapped by now, even as an experienced back-up option he'd be a shrewd capture on a free.

[Devils_Advocate]

To be fair to Mee after the last 5 years playing for Burnley he might not realise clubs can sign players this early in the window and therefore might have his phone switched off

[tiger76]

To be fair to Mee after the last 5 years playing for Burnley he might not realise clubs can sign players this early in the window and therefore might have his phone switched off

Very good DA made me chuckle.