Ben Mee

[Bosscat]

Ben Mee could be next season's Joe Worrall.

Wouldn't Joe Worrall be next seasons Joe Worrall

[boyyanno]

There's a bit of a Myth that were signing loads of old pro's. As far as I can see we've got two players who are over 30, Laurent and Barnes. Adding Ben Mee to that mix would not exactly tip us over the edge imo.

Steady PL defender, good character and leader coming to the end of his career joins a newly promoted/young side as a squad option. Tale as old as time, uninspiring but needed sometimes. Not one to be upset about or write home about imo.

I'm putting faith in the club this window and I'd be happy if we sign a few experienced heads for little outlay if it allows us to spend on quality to add to the group. I think there's a pre conceived notion that Ben Mee is finished at this level, it was the same when he left us. He's still played games for a decent PL side but he has been hampered by injuries recently. He never relied on pace so I don't believe he's finished to the point that he couldn't offer a steady option if needed- Brentford seemed to think so.

[AfloatinClaret]

Personally the answer for me would be yes. I think Ben Mee would.... It leaves you money to spend elsewhere...

It might save a transfer fee, but it loses us an opportunity to make a profitable player re-sale, takes up one of our twenty five squad places and still costs us a salary; I can't see Ben Mee playing for free and reckon we could buy and pay a promising twenty year old for what we'd need to pay Ben.

[warksclaret]

Less games in the PL so an active squad of 22 would allow for 2-3 "old heads". Ben might see this as an opportunity to get into management. means we need to be ruthless in moving a significant number of players on ie Delcroix, Obefemi, Churlinov, Santos, Costelloe and a number more

[Murger]

If Mee thinks he still has something to offer, he ain’t gonna come here as fifth choice.
He’ll probably end up dropping down a division.

[Conroy92]

It might save a transfer fee, but it loses us an opportunity to make a profitable player re-sale, takes up one of our twenty five squad places and still costs us a salary; I can't see Ben Mee playing for free and reckon we could buy and pay a promising twenty year old for what we'd need to pay Ben.

The problem is you can't apply the profitable resale to every signing in every window. We can't afford it.
I already posted on the transfer thread what imo is a list of the required squad, 28 realistically, which needs to be made up of at least 3 under 21's. In what positions that doesn't matter.
Your promising 20 year old isn't going to want to come in as fourth choice centre half. It's swings and roundabouts. With that but you missed the bit at the end I said that the ideal would be to sign a under 21 promising youngster. But again price, playing time all things that realistically a player down the pecking order isn't quite as bothered about at 35.

That's before I even talk about experience, his time at Brentford, his history with our club and his leadership.

No brainer.

[bumba]

Al Dakhil made a few appearances at CH earlier in the season , the most memorable was against Chelsea when scored an own goal and was hooked at HT.

If we wrote all our players off that season after a bad 45 mins then we'd have ended up forfeiting the season

[fidelcastro]

If we wrote all our players off that season after a bad 45 mins then we'd have ended up forfeiting the season

We did, didn't we?

[Hanoverusaclaret]

Ben Mee was an amazing player and consumate professional. I bet he could still do an excellent job as a backup for us in the PL.

At last, a sensible comment. Totally agree. No doubt he'd be a huge asset in the Prem. People forget our how poorly our inexperienced side did in the Prem last time around. We need experienced heads, and Mee is a great leader.

[IanMcL]

The 2 year contract could be because, as there is no transfer fee. Ben Mee could be entitled to ask for higher wages. That may be out of sync with our pay requirements, so the pay he agrees could be for half pay but for 2 years instead of one. Second year, there may be an alternative plan.

[Vegas Claret]

Speaking ahead of Brentford’s last home match of the season against Fulham, Mee told the club’s official website: “Sunday will be my last game at the Gtech.

“I’d like to thank the Bees fans for the amazing support you’ve given me during these last three years - it’s really meant a lot. This is a unique club full of fantastic people and I’m really proud and grateful to have had the pleasure to play here.

“I still have a lot more to give on the pitch and I’ll certainly be looking to do that somewhere next season and beyond. For now, let’s hope we can have a strong finish to the season.”

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank added: “Ben has been fantastic for us. His first season was outstanding; he was a big part of us finishing ninth in the Premier League.

“He has not had as many minutes in the two seasons since then, but he has always performed when called upon and been invaluable off the pitch. He has helped us build a strong culture and shared his knowledge with the younger players about how to be a top defender.

“Ben is a top pro and a top person - he will be missed. We wish him all the best for the future.”

[ecc]

At last, a sensible comment. Totally agree. No doubt he'd be a huge asset in the Prem. People forget our how poorly our inexperienced side did in the Prem last time around. We need experienced heads, and Mee is a great leader.

Every Burnley fan, I believe, holds Ben Mee in high esteem. He's a model professional and a latter-day Claret icon.

But he's 35.

On the other hand, you can be sure he's as fit as possible for his age.

Ben Mee knows the PL. He knows his body. I really would not see him coming back to this club to take us for a ride.

If Scott Parker thought Ben could do a job as back-up then I would be delighted to see him back.

[billyhamilton82]

Very astute signing if true.

The mixture of youth and experience is what will keep us up.

He's never had pace, its his reading of the game and tenacity that makes him a top defender.

Just reading the Brentford forum tells you all you need to know.

https://griffinpark.org/forums/threads/ ... 47/page-40

[Wile E Coyote]

Ben was tremendous, a model pro elsewhere too, but its 2025, we just got promoted to a viciously harsh division. we need the blend of youth and experience that recent recruitment has brought. sadly no room for nostalgia where we are going.

[ArmchairDetective]

Because he's 35 and we're playing in the Premier League, that's why not

What's the age limit?

[Jakubclaret]

The 2 year contract could be because, as there is no transfer fee. Ben Mee could be entitled to ask for higher wages. That may be out of sync with our pay requirements, so the pay he agrees could be for half pay but for 2 years instead of one. Second year, there may be an alternative plan.

Realistically can you see anybody else offering him PL football maybe Sunderland at a push nobody else. So it's 1 year take or leave it or ben decides to drop down or hang his boots up. He left us to pursue extended PL football upon our relegation which he was entitled to do as it was the best for him & his family & by that same token the club are entitled to go the way that's in their best interests. Loyalty is a 2 way street.

[NL Claret]

If we wrote all our players off that season after a bad 45 mins then we'd have ended up forfeiting the season

I was just pointing out that Al Dakhill did get a chance to play to CH in the PL, he actually started a game over O’Shea. Think VK wrote him off after the Chelsea game.

[ksrclaret]

If SP thinks that Ben Mee can add something around the place next season, that's good enough for me. Nathan Tella coming back would be pretty major as well.

Let's hope that the spin doctor's son has had someone in his life teach him to tell the truth!

[CrosspoolClarets]

I’d be quite happy with Ben returning. For that matter I’d try to get Tripps too. We need experience, but we also need younger players as well. It has to be a blend. Think of their input if we go 6 defeats on the bounce and heads start to drop on the training pitch. Invaluable.

[Wokingclaret]

no just no

There is a reason Brentford haven't renewed

[Elizabeth]

no just no

There is a reason Brentford haven't renewed

The two clubs are in different positions. Brentford are now an established PL team and their squad planning will be different to ours.

[boatshed bill]

I'm getting a bit bored with the concept that any returning (old) ex players will automatically be good "mentors".
And Burnley FC is a professional Football Club, not some sort of "Boys to Men" establishment.

[BurnleyFC]

Joe Worrall is only 28 and while his experience will be important he is not there to mentor. I'm not sure what the position is with Barnes contract wise but even if he is there next season there is no correlation between him and Mee.
Why would the club pay wages for cheerleaders which is basically what you are describing Mee and Barnes as being if they were in the squad.

Holy ****.

I genuinely thought he was about 33.

[Wokingclaret]

The two clubs are in different positions. Brentford are now an established PL team and their squad planning will be different to ours.

For example, Ekdal is a better player

[AshevilleNCClaret]

Wouldn't Joe Worrall be next seasons Joe Worrall

Actually Joe Worral becomes the next Kevin long

[GetIntoEm]

Please no. As much as I have respect for Ben Mee and how good he was for us, we don't need him back.

[Rowls]

Wouldn't Joe Worrall be next seasons Joe Worrall

No, Ive actually got good sources on this one. Straight from the Gawthorpe’s mouth, so to speak.

Ben Mee will be next season's Joe Worrall.

Worrall will be the next Michael Duff and Stephen Graham is in talks to be our new Joe Worrall.

Pace wants a 2 year contract but Graham needs to get out of an ITV drama before he can commit.

[bumba]

We did, didn't we?

Well I suppose we could put it down to that!

[bumba]

Fans wanting Ben Mee to sign a 2 year deal saying it's a good deal because we are in the premier league with less games......what happens in 12 months when we are likely in the championship and left with Ben Mee who couldn't manage a 46 game season and no sell on value?

[jojomk1]

Mee has been quoted as saying he still thinks he has a lot to offer on the pitch and his experience and knowledge of the club would make him a perfect signing in my opinion. Hope this is true

Ben Mee hasn't played for this club for 3 years and we (plus football in general) have changed a lot in that time
His knowledge of this club in its current form probably extends to him still knowing where the toilets are
"He still thinks he has a lot to offer" - he's hardly likely to say he is now not up to Premier League standard although Brentford clearly think he isn't
A backward step but "legends" live on with some fans

[IanMcL]

Realistically can you see anybody else offering him PL football maybe Sunderland at a push nobody else. So it's 1 year take or leave it or ben decides to drop down or hang his boots up. He left us to pursue extended PL football upon our relegation which he was entitled to do as it was the best for him & his family & by that same token the club are entitled to go the way that's in their best interests. Loyalty is a 2 way street.

I think it was more a case of not wanted by Mr K.

[Jakubclaret]

I think it was more a case of not wanted by Mr K.

Ben needed a fresh challenge & being offered a 2 year deal at a PL club was far more enticing than a championship campaign. Even if kompany wanted him I still think he would have left. Then you had all that humming & harring previously with gibson replacing him & ben changing his mind & the other ben being sidelined which didn't appear professional. A timed retracted offer could have avoided all that instead of people being messed about.

[boyyanno]

For example, Ekdal is a better player

I actually laughed at this. Clearly Ekdal is a much worse player than Ben Mee.

[Cooclaret]

At last, a sensible comment. Totally agree. No doubt he'd be a huge asset in the Prem. People forget our how poorly our inexperienced side did in the Prem last time around. We need experienced heads, and Mee is a great leader.

Mee is a great professional, he’s also a great person.

But.

He’s the player leader of a previous management team. A team that had a very clear vision, plan and design.

We’re not that team anymore. I wouldn’t want him if I was SP. I wouldn’t want to come back if I was BM.

[gtclaret]

How about Heaton on a 3 year deal while we're at it?

Exactly

[warksclaret]

Its possible Worrall and Parker have had a grown up conversation, with the player saying he is only 28 and wants regular football, with Scott being honest and saying he cannot guarantee it in the PL. Maybe Joe will move on to secure regular football in which case Ben would become the back up CH and defensive mentor to the team, and that would make more financial sense than both in the squad

[Cooclaret]

I'm getting a bit bored with the concept that any returning (old) ex players will automatically be good "mentors".
And Burnley FC is a professional Football Club, not some sort of "Boys to Men" establishment.

You don’t think there’s an ‘apprenticeship’ model in professional sport?

Old teach the young; it’s the way.

[gtclaret]

I actually laughed at this. Clearly Ekdal is a much worse player than Ben Mee.

Ekdal is a much worse player than Ben Mee WAS,not IS he's 35,it's the premier league we already have experienced players to support the team off field, especially if Barnes signs,we don't need Mee,FFS give your head a wobble

[Elizabeth]

Ben Mee hasn't played for this club for 3 years and we (plus football in general) have changed a lot in that time
His knowledge of this club in its current form probably extends to him still knowing where the toilets are
"He still thinks he has a lot to offer" - he's hardly likely to say he is now not up to Premier League standard although Brentford clearly think he isn't
A backward step but "legends" live on with some fans

Mee's strong emotional connection and passion for the club will bridge the gap quickly. He'll probably know more about the club's recent transformation than some people think. So no, you don't necessarily lose all knowledge of a club after being away 3 years.
We've been out of the PL two of the last three seasons and the popular belief is that it has outgrown promoted clubs. What better than signing a player who has experienced how the PL has changed during this time.
As for scepticism over Mee's playing ability at the top level. Mee lost his regular place due to injury not form. Brentford have better players and are a much better team than we can hope to be at the present time. I wouldn't be fooled into thinking his release there means he is no longer capable of playing at the top level.

[gtclaret]

What's the age limit?

Father time decides that,and as yet nobody has been able to beat it.The younger faster premier league forwards will be all over him,as we age the reaction time also slows,we simply wouldn't be able to cope.Ots not my decision,it's mother nature unfortunately

[boyyanno]

Ekdal is a much worse player than Ben Mee WAS,not IS he's 35,it's the premier league we already have experienced players to support the team off field, especially if Barnes signs,we don't need Mee,FFS give your head a wobble

In the last 3 years Ben Mee has played double the amount of games as Ekdal at a much higher level.

You'll have to excuse me for wondering on what basis people think Ekdal is anywhere near good enough for the PL.

[Woodleyclaret]

Ekdal is an international and imo worth keeping as a squad player but if this situation re Ben is actually real then he will be surplus to requirements and can be sold on

[Spijed]

As the football saying goes "You can't have too many ex players putting out cones for a training session".

[randomclaret2]

Father time decides that,and as yet nobody has been able to beat it.The younger faster premier league forwards will be all over him,as we age the reaction time also slows,we simply wouldn't be able to cope.Ots not my decision,it's mother nature unfortunately

Spot on...what is this constant obsession with re-signing players who did well for us years ago ? There is literally a whole world of players out there available to us now

[boyyanno]

Spot on...what is this constant obsession with re-signing players who did well for us years ago ? There is literally a whole world of players out there available to us now

No one is obsessed, someone has suggested we may be offering Mee a contract, some people think he'll be an okay squad option on a free transfer and some people disagree.

I don't see anyone clamouring for him to sign, I don't get why people have to embellish everything.

[Tribesmen]

Spot on...what is this constant obsession with re-signing players who did well for us years ago ? There is literally a whole world of players out there available to us now

You really have hit the nail on the head .

[ŽižkovClaret]

I could see him turning up at Bournemouth or Sunderland. But with us, unless we loan out Ekdal and/or Beyer i'm not sure there is a slot?

[nil_desperandum]

I could see him turning up at Bournemouth or Sunderland. But with us, unless we loan out Ekdal and/or Beyer i'm not sure there is a slot?

Is there evidence that Beyer will be anywhere near ready for PL football in August? (Genuine question).
I am undecided about Mee coming back, but I'm guessing that for most of next season he is likely to be more PL fit than Beyer, though I hope for Beyer's sake that I am wrong.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Is there evidence that Beyer will be anywhere near ready for PL football in August? (Genuine question).
I am undecided about Mee coming back, but I'm guessing that for most of next season he is likely to be more PL fit than Beyer, though I hope for Beyer's sake that I am wrong.

I suspect you're right, and a loan to the Bundesliga until Jan might do him good.....

[Big Vinny K]

I really do not understand this obsession for posters saying there is an obsession on signing ex players.

Posts like this”would you sign such and such if hadn’t worn a claret shirt ?”….are so predictable as soon as this debate starts. It may sound crazy but those people who think that a signing of an ex player may be worthwhile based on their view of him as a footballer rather than he used to play for us.

Personally I wouldn’t sign Ben Mee as think he’s just started picking up too many injuries and it’s difficult to see at his age how this could get any better. But if we are losing any of the current centre backs and SP thinks Mee can give us a better chance of staying up I think most sensible Burnley fans will understand that we are bringing in someone with a lot of quality, great character and experience.