Chris Rigg: Sunderland’s Teenage Starlet
At just 17 years old, Chris Rigg has already established himself in the first team of Championship leaders Sunderland. With 23 appearances this season, 22 of which have had his name in the starting XI, the Black Cats’ academy product is already showing he is more than ready for the big leagues. In a midfield that features names like Jobe Bellingham and veterans such as Alan Browne, Rigg is the shining star at the heart of the team.
The Hebburn native made his debut in an FA Cup clash away at Shrewsbury on January 7, 2023 with his side 1-0 down at the time of his introduction to the Sunderland fans. Come full time, Sunderland had advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with two injury time goals to send them on their way and seal them an away clash with Premier League side Fulham.
This appearance made Rigg the second-youngest Sunderland player ever and earnt him a spot in the first team ready for their fourth-round clash. The then 15-year-old Rigg entered the fray in the 86th minute. With the game tied at 1-1, he received the ball and smashed it home, before being flagged as offside. The goal made headlines and made the world aware of his talent.
Sunderland’s number 11 would go on to make a total of 22 appearances that season, scoring three goals in the process and accumulating regular minutes on a weekly basis as he continued to grow into the team. The midfielder would play 323 minutes in his team’s first five games, in which they won all four of their league outings but crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Preston North End.
Rigg’s first 90 minutes would come in a 3-1 win away at Portsmouth, whilst the Englishman’s first goal of the season would come in a 1-0 win against local rivals Middlesborough, a backheel finish which would earn him Championship Goal of the Month for September.
On October 1, 2024, Rigg became the third youngest player to make 30 Championship appearances, joining an esteemed list which boasts the likes of Jude Bellingham and Gareth Bale. Sunderland hosted Derby on the momentous day and prevailed with a 2-0 victory, with the 17-year-old playing 74 minutes.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 20, 2024
Rigg took his goal tally to three with strikes against Leeds and Luton in October, whilst he continued his fine performances throughout the festive period. On December 14, Rigg assisted Bellingham’s winning goal as Sunderland erased a two-goal deficit and won 3-2 at Swansea City. And 12 days later, he scored the equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers, making him the first player to score six Championship goals before his 18th birthday.
When compared to other midfielders, the 17-year-old excels statistically and is way ahead of others he is compared to. The midfielder shows his quality in his ability to move the ball forward, regularly receiving the ball in the final third and driving at the defence. His ability to be unpredictable on the ball and end his dribbles in a shot keeps defenders on his toes. Rigg averages 2.76 shot-creating actions per 90 and receives 5.38 progressive passes, placing him in the 69th and 95th percentile respectively.
Photo: FBRef
His 1.78 progressive carries and 1.27 successful take-ons averaged per 90 place him amongst the best midfielders in the league for on the ball actions and demonstrates his desire to look forward in search of goals for his team. He also exceeds expectations in front of goal, with 0.18 non-penalty goals and 1.64 shots per 90 placing him in the 92nd and 87th percentile for these metrics.
These stats show his understanding for the attacking game excellently. Whilst he could always improve his defensive contributions and how he links up with teammates in other areas of the pitch, at only 17 years old, all signs indicate him becoming a fantastic, elite-level player. Sunderland will be looking to protect their prized jewel, but with his contract set to expire in 2027, it’s seemingly only a matter of time before he departs the Stadium of Light.
With Rigg in sensational form, Sunderland find themselves chasing promotion to England’s top-flight. Regis Le Bris’ side currently sit fourth in the EFL Championship table, four points behind Burnley, five behind Sheffield United and seven behind league leaders Leeds United. After spending the past eight years bouncing around from the third and second tier, Sunderland may very well secure a long-awaited return to the Premier League.
Rigg’s impressive displays haven’t just extended to the club level, but the international level as well. He has represented England at the U15, U16, U17, and U18 level, being promoted to the U17s at the tender age of 15. In 2023, he played in the U-17 World Cup, whilst the following year would see him play in the U-17 Euros and wear the captain’s armband in their quarterfinal elimination to Italy.
At 17 years of age, Christopher John Rigg has burst onto the scene and the trajectory he is showing at such a pace is terrifying for other teams in the Championship who are tasked to stop with the starlet. Newcastle and Manchester United have been linked with him regularly over the past weeks, but for now, the teenager is solely focused on developing his skills at Tyne and Wear and leading Sunderland back to the promised land.
By: Josh Wright / @joshwrightt12__
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / James Gill – Danehouse / Getty Images