The incredible nature of Chris Rigg’s debut in 2023 is best summed up by former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.
One of Sunderland’s top priorities since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman arrived at the club have been nurturing young players and turning them into top Championship stars.
Whilst it hasn’t been fully successful, with some players not living up to expectations, one man who has fully thrived because of Sunderland’s emphasis on developing young talents is Chris Rigg.
The Sunderland academy graduate has risen to become a star player in Regis Le Bris’ set-up, something that many envisaged after he burst onto the scene in 2023 at just 15 years old.
When he made his debut for the first team against Shrewsbury Town, which came about due to a long list of injuries amongst the Sunderland ranks, Tony Mowbray spoke fondly of the youngster but also said one thing that put into perspective just how incredible it was that he was making his first appearance for the Black Cats.
Tony Mowbray comments after Chris Rigg Sunderland debut put incredible achievement into perspective
Rigg’s debut fell in January 2023 in a 2-1 victory away at Shrewsbury Town as he helped Sunderland turn around a one-goal deficit in the dying minutes, with Ross Stewart and Luke O’Nien bagging in the 92nd and 94th minute respectively.
The debut handed to the youngster grabbed many people’s attention, with him being the youngest player to notch game time for Sunderland’s first team, which, per BBC, led to former boss Tony Mowbray being asked to reflect on the youngster.
Mowbray made it clear in his comments that Rigg was still at school and was unable to train often at the time of his debut, saying: “He was put on the pitch because he deserves to be on the pitch.
“Of course we’ve got a lot of injuries, which gives him the opportunity. If we’d had six or seven first-team players still available, he probably wouldn’t have been here today.
“But, the chance comes and everybody needs opportunity. It’s fantastic for the kid that he’s done so well and hopefully pushed himself on to the fringes of helping us in league matches moving forward.
“We were 1-0 down when he went on,” Mowbray added. “I’m sure he’ll be telling everybody that he went on for his debut and changed the game.
“He’s talented, he doesn’t train with us everyday because he’s at school, but when he does train he’s tenacious, he tackles and doesn’t hold too much respect for the other players.
“He can pass the ball well with his left foot and he looks smooth when he’s travelling with the ball.”
Chris Rigg was destined for the top ever since debut
Incredibly few players can say they have played first-team football as early as Rigg has managed in his career, and something like that reflects just how highly thought of he was at the time he was handed his breakthrough into Mowbray’s side.
The Sunderland ace, ever since, has continued to show resilience, determination, and above all else, a hunger to fight for his place in the side, no matter his age.
Because of how natural it looks to have him in the centre of the park in a Championship side, where, when on his game, he can dominate, many forget that he is still just 17 years old.
Rigg is far from reaching his peak as well, and if he is able to show these levels at this age, there is no doubt that he can go to the very top.