The Sunderland academy talent has caught attention while on loan in non-league football.
Sunderland has made a strong start to the 2024/25 Championship season, largely thanks to Regis Le Bris’s ability to maximize his team’s performance.
Currently topping the Championship table, Sunderland is showing no signs of slowing as they prepare to face Plymouth Argyle after the international break.
Le Bris’ team has conceded just one goal this season, partly due to the solid midfield partnership of Chris Rigg and Dan Neil, who have been instrumental in Sunderland’s success.
Both Rigg and Neil, products of the Academy of Light, have inspired other young players, including Ben Middlemas, who has shared his aspirations of joining the first team. Middlemas, currently on loan at South Shields in the National League North, aims to follow in the footsteps of Rigg, who has made a significant impact at Sunderland.
In an interview with Sunderland Echo, Middlemas said, “It will be challenging to impress the manager, but that’s my main goal here at South Shields—show what I can do in senior football. Young players on loan must seize the opportunity to catch the manager’s eye, whether through direct observation or feedback from staff.”
Middlemas praised Rigg’s performance and the club’s willingness to give young players a chance. “I need to be bold, get involved, and showcase my abilities,” he added.
Regis Le Bris is seen as an ideal manager for nurturing young talent. His extensive experience with youth development at Lorient, where he spent over a decade, is evident in how he has advanced players like Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda.
Although Middlemas may not immediately transition from the sixth tier to the Championship, Le Bris’s focus on youth suggests that future opportunities could arise for him as Sunderland continues to seek talent from their academy.
