Chris Rigg, the highly-rated youth prodigy at Sunderland, has attracted significant interest from major clubs in England and Europe, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and even Birmingham City under the stewardship of former Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray. Despite this interest, Rigg remains at Sunderland due to his belief in the pathway provided by the club and the examples set by other young players who have successfully transitioned to the first team.
At 16 years old, Rigg signed a two-year scholarship deal with Sunderland, opting to stay at the Academy of Light despite lucrative offers elsewhere. His decision was influenced by Sunderland’s track record of nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for first-team football. Rigg’s goal is to follow in the footsteps of players like Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, and Jobe Bellingham, who have all earned significant first-team experience at Sunderland at a young age.
To keep Rigg at Sunderland beyond his scholarship deal, the club must continue to provide him with opportunities in the first team. Rigg has already made several appearances for the senior squad and has shown promise with his performances. However, there is a growing feeling that he needs more regular playing time to further his development and solidify his commitment to the club.
Sunderland manager Michael Beale has praised Rigg’s attitude and talent, emphasizing his desire to be involved in the first team. Beale has outlined Sunderland’s plan to gradually integrate Rigg into the senior squad while managing his workload and development carefully. The next few months will be crucial in determining Rigg’s future, as he approaches his 17th birthday and becomes eligible to sign professional terms with any club of his choosing. Sunderland will need to demonstrate their commitment to Rigg’s development by providing him with consistent first-team opportunities to convince him to stay at the club beyond the age of 17.
GET MORE NEWS HERE
