Mepham is in a different league

CHRIS MEPHAM was playing Sunday league football four years ago.

Now the Brentford defender wants to keep starring on the international stage for Wales.

The 20-year-old stood out on his first start for his country in Tuesday’s goalless draw with World Cup-bound Mexico to cap a remarkable rise.

“I have to pinch myself a little bit,” he said. “It’s been an absolute roller coaster and one thing after another. from ALEX BYWATER in LA

“It’s only when you have a bit of time to look back, that you go, looked back since making his ‘Wow, what an incredible journey Bees debut in 2017. it’s been’. Bournemouth had a bid of

“I hope it carries on the way £6.5m in January turned down

it’s going and yes it’s been a after he had made just 14

whirlwind few years. appearances for the Championship side.

Mepham made his debut for Wales in China in March and was handed his first start against Mexico by boss Ryan Giggs.

Should he replicate the form he showed in California with Brentford next season, Bournemouth are unlikely to be the only top flight club monitoring him.

“Chris had a great game, he deserved to start the way he’s been playing,” said Tottenham defender Ben Davies.

“I think he’s shown he can play at international level. People will say there’s a lack of experience there, but it doesn’t matter with the quality he has.”

Taste

“But I’ve loved every minute of it and I’ve definitely got a taste of international football now.

“You always want to play at the highest level and I want more and more now.

“I hope I can keep going, keep grounded and focused and see where I go. Hopefully Mexico was the first of many more games for Wales.”

Mepham failed to cut it at Chelsea, QPR and Watford at youth level and looked lost to the professional game as he played park football.

It was while playing for the reserves of Combined Counties League side North Greenford that he was spotted by Brentford and he hasn’t