How well will Chris Rigg do this season?

This.

Its all about the person, can they handle the pressure and the spotlight thatll come with starting regularly for sunderland in the championship. The kid seems to have a great mentality.

He is the biggest talent ive ever seen at Sunderland and he has everything to become a top top player for yrs to come. He seems to be loving it and the senior players seem to have taken to him as well.

If we play more of a midfield 3 this season, 433 rather than 4231 then i would have him as 4th choice behind neil ekwah n bellingham.

A note on Ba, id rather he played in that wider role for the time being - back up to clarke, think thats his best position for the time being. Best game i watched him play before we signed him was rwb for france n he was quality from the wider role

 

I like what Rigg said about us having a young squad and it being easy to be accepted. It must be excellent for himself, the new signings and other youngsters breaking through. You’re not seen as inferior due to being young and instead seamlessly welcomed into the team. Just bring talent, attitude and desire. I bet the coaches are delighted to work with them.

 

He is an exellent lad, and needs to be given 90 mins maybe against Mallorca and/or Crewe.

 

It made me think what Dan Neil would've done in the same situation, it was a quite a moment.

He brought the ball out of our half and passed in front of the player out wide, so far so Neil. He started to make a forward run but checked when the ball came back. Yes, that could've been Neil. But once Ba collected the ball he took control of the situation. He started a run, checked the offside position and made sure Ba knew what he wanted.

I thought, at the time, Neil would've allowed Ba to run past him and make himself available on the edge of the box for another pass or possibly a shot.

TBH it wasn't a totally comfortable experience.

 

...

 

I'll see your... and raise you ....

 

Article on Rigg

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spo...Etzf8zk76jOUaVQ60ax5s-jByQpq5aO0gcclLTq9Hzfso

 

I will say it again, at this stage looks the best young player I have seen come through our juniors. World at his feet. Signing players is always intriguing, but when they come through your own club it is so much more exciting and invaluable to the club image.

 

I think he'll do alright. We have to be careful with young lads though, our crowd can be vicious when form dips.

It's not so much the player as the evidence of the process that's important here, I think. We're showing that there's a clear development pathway from signing as a youngster to the first team if you work hard enough.

 

From the little I have seen of him, I think he could make a brilliant number 10. Feels like he's going to be the type we want to get on the ball lots and will also chip in with goals. Not saying he should be playing there right now, even this time next year he will have JUST turned 17. But its where I think he ends up. And I think he makes 20+ appearances off bench this year.

 

I'd like to see him as a 10 when he gets on. Seems to find the space and run in behind really well.

 

A 10 or an 8 at this stage would be my prediction. He has that go forward attitude that makes suited there. His game will evolve but his natural instinct looks to be offensive and to make things happen. I can see why we didnt spend the £5m on Michut when this lad is in the wings. To me looks to have a lot more about him and I really did like Michut.

 

Boom boom bang bang. Well done Chris lad

 

I actually find it quite surprising he's "only" in the Under 17s. Playing regularly in the championship last couple of months. You look at those names of midfielders in the U18 and I'd eat my hat if they're currently better than him.

I guess they don't promote players beyond their years, but they obviously have exceptions because Archie Gray is in the U21s and was in the U20s last time, despite only being a year older than Rigg

 

England u18s are playing Germany u18s. Apparently its live on German footy youtube at 1200. Hopefully Young gets a game

 

0-0, England won 5-3 on pens. Young was an unused substitute

 

Rigg got sent off in his latest appearance for England. Should be nice and fresh for Cardiff.

 

Chris Rigg, my 2023-24 season.