Sunderland boasts some of the most promising young talents in the Championship this season.
The EFL has a history of developing significant players, with several members of England’s Euro 2024 starting XI having begun their careers in the lower divisions. Sunderland has contributed to this talent pool, recently selling Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town for £15m.
However, it is not Clarke but Chris Rigg who is currently generating the most excitement at the Academy of Light. At just 17, Rigg has quickly become a regular under Regis Le Bris, delivering some standout performances. His display in the win over Portsmouth earned him an impressive rating of 8 from the Sunderland Echo.
Rigg’s potential has attracted attention from top European clubs this summer. Journalist Michael Graham has made a bold claim about his future, stating on X, “Chris Rigg is astonishingly talented—Sunderland has Jobe Bellingham, but Rigg is the club’s second-best teenage central midfielder. He’s the best talent I’ve seen come through at #SAFC, surpassing even those who have won Premier League and Champions League titles.”
When asked if Rigg’s potential is comparable to Jordan Henderson’s, Graham responded, “I believe Rigg’s ceiling is much higher.” He further argued that while Henderson was never world-class, Rigg has the potential to reach that level.
Sunderland fans are already enamored with Rigg and recognize his exceptional talent. Though predicting his future status as world-class is challenging, given his current form at just 17, it’s clear he has a bright future ahead. He could already fit into several Premier League midfields.
While it may be overly harsh to claim Henderson was not world-class, it’s undeniable that Rigg has the potential to achieve significant success. Henderson, who captained Liverpool to numerous trophies including the Premier League and Champions League, was undoubtedly one of the top midfielders in the world during his prime.
