Handing Mee a new contract will be the best move by Burnley all summer
Burnley are close to handing defender Bee Mee with a new and improved contract before the start of the season. (Lancashire Telegraph)
The 28-year-old was the stand-in captain for the Clarets for most of last season after Tom Heaton suffered a shoulder injury. He was and has always been one of their most vital cogs. Though Ben Mee isn’t Sean Dyche’s captain, he put in a splendid shift and not once did he look out of place.
The defender was very much committed to keeping the Clarets’ backline solid. He is a tenacious defender whose diligent defending played a key role in taking the Clarets back to Europe. Burnley qualified for the Europa League via play-off and will be itching to get their campaign underway.
As Sean Dyche and his men embark on a new journey, Burnley are going to need all hands on the deck in order to make a strong start. Ben Mee will certainly be a crucial figure for them this season. The defender has not played European football before but possesses all the qualities to thrive.
The 28-year-old is not someone to get fazed by pressure and won’t really find it difficult to play on the European stage. He’s mature, strong and agile at the back. Alongside James Tarkowski, Ben Mee was a part of a formidable partnership that made it difficult for a number of Premier League teams to breach their backline.
Burnley were rigid and well-drilled at the back with Ben Mee playing a huge role for them last season. Nick Pope enjoyed a stellar campaign as well but Mee is surely their unsung hero last season. The defender made a total of 29 appearances in the league, showing no signs of fatigue or tiredness.
The Clarets have now completed the signing of Ben Gibson from Middlesborough, further strengthening their backline. Sean Dyche has been unable to bring in a flurry of players given the demands of playing in Europe.
The team are also lacking a man in between the sticks, with both Tom Heaton and Nick Pope out through injury. Anders Lindegaard is the only fit goalkeeper, which means Burnley need to gear up and expect a rocky start this time. (Sky Sports)
Though they haven’t been very productive in the transfer window, handing Mee a new contract will be one of the most crucial deals for the club. It is absolutely vital to steadily develop by holding onto your best players and that’s exactly what Burnley are doing.