Sunderland star Chris Rigg has rightfully earned praise from one of his former coaches.
The Black Cats have endured an electric start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Unlike the latter half of the 2023/24 Championship season, there is massive belief amongst the squad, and confidence is at an all-time high amongst the young ranks, with new French coach Regis Le Bris clearly succeeding in getting the very best out of his squad.
The current Sunderland side have impressed in particular in the centre-of-the-park, with both Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham particularly showing clear signs of improvement this season, with both even being tipped to play for England in their career.
Sunderland have several youngsters who have stepped up this campaign, however Rigg in particular has rightfully been praised as ‘cool and calm’ this season, and looking at the impact he has had on the team so far, it is no surprise to see why.
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Sunderland gem Chris Rigg praised by former coach
At the age-of-17, Rigg continues to defy expectations on the weekly, with him notching two goals so far in the league against Middlesbrough and Leeds United at the Stadium of Light.
The youngsters has unsurprisingly gained the plaudits by one of his former coaches, with his previous futsal coach for Hebburn Town Steven Richardson opening up on the youngster and how he was always destined for the top.
Per The Chronicle, Richardson said: “He’s so cool and calm in the house. He knows how good he is and that’s not a bad thing. He knows when he goes out on that pitch he’s going to give everything he’s got, not a thing less. He knows his ability will help him as well.
“To have a player like that – Sunderland have got an absolute diamond. He’s never not going to try. He’s always going to give everything until he can’t give anymore. He could probably play 100 to 180 minutes, I said before he’s like a Duracell bunny but he’s controlled with it as well.
“He’ll play his position and do his job. The other thing is, he knows exactly what everyone else should be doing as well.”
The midfielder has become a mainstay in the current Sunderland side for a reason, and the qualities he has shown so far this campaign will without a doubt make him hot property as the January transfer window swings around.
Chris Rigg mentality will send him to the very top
Several players are able to have the qualities that Rigg has had at his youthful age, but one thing that helps him stand out from the pack is his mentality at the age-of-17.
There are no surprises to see him praised for the fact that ‘he’s going to give everything he’s got’ when on the pitch, and that comes with how he has managed expectations for himself, something that takes plenty of self awareness, which is far from certain with a player at that age.
Rigg plays with the maturity of a seasoned professional in their 12th season of top-level football, and if he continues on this path, he will go to the very top.
His abilities set him apart from others at this moment, but whilst many players at his age falter away from the lofty expectations set upon him, he will only thrive in that situation, as he has clearly shown that he already has the abilities to make a difference or a top CHampionship side.