Michael Beale has explained the ‘bit-part’ role that Chris Rigg will play for Sunderland for the rest of the campaign.
Chris Rigg first burst onto the scene for Sunderland last season and the club were faced with the unbelievable task of tying him down to a scholarship deal and batting off interest from the likes of Newcastle and Manchester United.
The midfielder eventually committed his future to the Black Cats though and it was expected we would see more of him this time round.
Rigg went onto make history as he became Sunderland’s youngest ever goalscorer as he netted in the 5-0 hammering of Southampton in September, however Tony Mowbray’s departure left his presence with the senior team very limited.
His seven-minute cameo against Stoke City was his first since October, but he seemed to do enough to impress Michael Beale.
The Sunderland manager has now addressed why the teenager will be ‘really important’ heading into the final few months of the campaign.
Speaking to Sunderland Echo, Beale said: “I was pleased with Riggy when he came on against Stoke.
“He obviously missed out at the weekend because he was involved with the FA Youth Cup, but I was very pleased with him. We don’t want to talk about age because we believe in their talent, but for someone so young… he showed me that he wants to be involved, he doesn’t just want a bit-part role. He wants to play. He doesn’t want us to consider his age because he feels he’s ready, but of course we take it into account.
“I think it was always going to be the second half of the season that you were going to see him more, but that depends on a lot of factors doesn’t it. You always felt it would be that way but there’s always fitness and form [to consider] as well. He came on and Stoke and contributed, he’s got a no-fear mentality. He’s a lefty and that gives you a really good balance in the team, too. That’s really important to any possession-based team, like we are.
“It’s very hard for a player of his age to be any further forward than he is,” the 43-year-old added.
“I don’t know exactly who he went away with for that World Cup but I’d be fairly sure that he’s further forward at his club than many of those players, if not the furthest forward in terms of appearances and the fact that he is training with the first team every day. I like his mentality, it’s the mentality of a young boy from the local area who is living his dream, and it’s important that he keeps that because I think it could take him a long, long way.
“You can talk about the technique he’s got, the passing, but I think that mentality is his super strength. With all young players, it’s how long you can keep that. He can play a part now, if we play with two eights high or a flat three at times, he can give us real balance on the left of that.”
Should Chris Rigg be given a chance now?
Given our lack of depth in midfield all season, it has been incredibly frustrating not to see Chris Rigg handed more opportunities. But at the same time, Corry Evans’ absence has meant that we haven’t really had a trusted defensive midfielder that we could deploy behind the 16-year-old.
His appearance against the Potters was definitely promising though and I see no reason why he can’t be given more chances now, especially with the arrival of Callum Styles to hopefully firm things up.
Rigg has the potential to be an excellent player, worthy of a place in the England senior squad, but if we don’t give him what he deserves then we still face losing him to a top team.