Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has been handed advice by one fellow academy product.
Sunderland beat Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, as Regis Le Bris’ side notched a 2-1 win, courtesy of an Eliezer Mayenda brace.
Despite Jobe Bellingham struggling in the centre of the park, whilst Leo Hjelde also looked defensively shaky on occasions, Sunderland got the win over the line.
The game was preceded by an interesting team selection by Le Bris, which notably saw Alan Browne come in for Chris Rigg.
Rigg’s drop to the bench was done so in somewhat unsurprising fashion. Fans have called for Rigg to be rested in recent weeks, which is certainly a nod to the efforts he has been putting in, often playing 90 minutes at just 17 years old.
Rigg, who has been tipped as one of the best academy products to come out of Wearside, has received advice from a former Sunderland man, and has been told what the fans exactly want from him.
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Former Sunderland man Martyn Waghorn sends ‘legend’ Chris Rigg constructive advice
Sunderland midfielder Rigg has been a crucial member of Le Bris’ squad this season having accumulated a total of 31 appearances in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, bagging four goals and notching an assist as well.
Because of this, the youngster has attracted plenty of transfer interest. Rigg has stated his interest is to stay at Sunderland, but he could still find himself away from Wearside if a Premier League side comes knocking.
As a result of the interest in the Sunderland midfielder, former striker Martyn Waghorn has sent a message of advice to Rigg, per Sunderland Echo, to which he said: “Just never forget where you were made and how you were made. Whatever happens, always just give 100 per cent for the club. That’s all the fans want.
“He’s a legend to the fans already for what he’s done. Just the way he goes around the pitch and how he conducts himself. That’ll never change, and fans will never want to see that change.
“Whatever he goes on to do, he’s going to go on to have a successful career, no doubt. But just that passion and raw energy and excitement and enjoyment for the game, just don’t ever lose that because there’ll be moments where he has good spells or he’ll have bad spells.”
Chris Rigg career trajectory depends on Wearside stay
It is safe to say that there aren’t many 17-year-olds that can receive such a consistent stream on game time as Black Cats star Rigg has been guaranteed.
There may need to be more of a balance to give Rigg slightly extra time on the sidelines to avoid burnout, but there is still no doubt that Le Bris’ faith in the youngster will help positively shape his career trajectory.
At such a young age, a move to a Premier League outfit on paper could appear as an opportunity that can’t be passed by, but on top of Waghorn’s claim that he’s a ‘legend’ on Wearside and that he won’t be as important immediately elsewhere, he would likely not have that guarantee of game time that has fast tracked his development up until this point, something that he has to prioritise when mulling over his future.