it's a long way from a direct comparison but he reminds me of a young George Best. Loves to play and refuses to be intimidated by players twice his size, in fact he terrifies them. But above all he makes hours, and years, of hard work look like a God given natural talent he doesn't have to graft for. And he clearly realises that he's partly there to entertain the support and enrich their lives ... ... unlike many young players who only seem interested in enriching themselves.
The most impressive thing for me with Rigg is that he doesn’t stop and think he is straight into stride and looking for options. It is instant almost every time he is looking to pass or carry. That is not coachable to a degree. That’s what they call a ‘pure footballing brain’. The history books are full of players who were very good but ‘need to be better decision makers’. This essential child has that 90% boxed off at 17. He plays like he is in his mid 20s now. He is fearless. Pass, tackle and shoot. If we say Henderson is our biggest outfield export and ha’way, Rigg is on another planet to 17 year old Jordan. The kid is genuinely mind blowing. He has pace, bite, vision, hunger and mentality in spades. He hits the ball clean as well goals will come only wonder save has him not off the mark this season, actual Banks level save from the (excellent) Sheffield Wed keeper. I don’t even think we are getting carried away by him. He is doing it every week, however the oppo play, and whatever size his man is.
Assuming we don't get promoted this season, I think its likely he will move. Obviously my hope is he stays with us. But if he does move I hope its to somewhere like Brighton, Palace or Brentford, where he will start regularly in a team trying to play the right way. Then beyond that the world is his oyster. City, Liverpool, Bayern, Madrid. I can see all of them. But I think its important he doesn't go to one of them until he's at least 21. Otherwise his development will be stinted.
It's one of the reasons promotion is so important this year. There's no way we hold onto the likes of Rigg, Jobe, Cirkin, possibly Mayenda, etc in the Championship for another season. If we go up and they spend another year with us and tear it up in the Prem, we could be adding £10m to the values of each of them.
I don’t think he leaves us for that level of club. If it was end of season I’d be more inclined to think he goes Jude route and plays for a major club overseas. I don’t think that it’s a given he goes if we stay down though, he will still only be 18. He has City written all over him to be honest. Or Arsenal. Or Liverpool. Any side that burst forward fast would see him as a potential star. He isn’t gonna go to Brentford. For a start, if he does a full season like he’s started they can’t afford him.
I think they'd spend £40m on him in the summer and I think we'd accept that, especially if he wants the move. He'll only have 2 years left on his deal so we don't want to be chasing a £50-60m fee that might not come. I do however also see a route for him being signing a 5 year deal here in the summer and then going to a City or whoever in 2-3 years. If we do get promoted then it becomes even easier to keep him.
Blows my mind that he only turned 17 in June He seems to be getting better week by week How good could he be at 18/19?!
Exactly let's not label him to other very good footballers, the lads got a very special talent and it should be he reminds me of Chris rigg. The lads got an unbelievable career ahead of him but he's should serve the next 3 years here
Been thinking about the Gazza comparison. I am not sure it is the best one personally. A young Gazza was a ball carrying midfielder. Always dribbling past players and bursting into the box. Rigg, for me anyway, is more visionary in his play. He sees things before the ball arrives and moves it on quickly. Not saying he cant beat a man because he can, but I dont think it is what marks him out. Rigg probably has a more all round game at his age, but Gazza had a very different upbringing in football.
I just meant in regards to the control and dribbling and effort to go past players. I think he's a bit of a few players.
Yeah mate, got a bit of everything Rigg. He is one of those players that emerges and you instantly see talent. He seems to bring attitude with it as well. When I saw Dan Neil first get his chance I thought it was clear he would be a fantastic player. He was always on the half turn, lovely passer and had the whole pitch under his awareness. Rigg is another level again. He oozes innate talent. It isnt the done thing these days to play 17 year olds in mens football. There is a nervousness about physicality and mentality in coaching communities. Every so often though a player comes in that is too good to leave out. Rigg is one of those. On ability alone he has to play week in week out, but of course he will be looked after physically. Enjoy him while we have him.
They said it well on What The Falk. We can try comparing him to different players. Bernardo Silva, Gazza, Best etc. But there’s a chance that he is the first ‘Chris Rigg’ and he sets the mould. He really has that much potential.
