Chris Rigg does not wait around.
Having first joined Sunderland AFC at primary school age, he was already making waves when leading the U15 squad to victory in the Premier League Floodlit Cup in 2022 (as a quick aside this was an impressive feat for any academy, let alone a League One side, even with its Category One status).
That achievement and his performance were the first major sign that Rigg could be a special player. He alongside his teammates surely helped highlight Sunderland’s growing reputation for producing a top-tier level of talent, despite languishing outside of English football’s top flight.
History maker
Soon after, the Hebburn-born midfielder was fast-tracked to Sunderland’s U23 side, and remarkably just a smidge after that, Rigg made his senior debut. At just 15 years and 203 days old, he became the second youngest player to ever represent the club, following in the history-making footsteps of Derek Foster, the Geordie goalkeeper who deputised for Jimmy Montgomery in the 1960s.
Despite its noteworthiness, Rigg’s senior bow came in rather understated fashion, during an FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town on 7th January 2023. As loanee Edouard Michut made his way off the field, Rigg stepped into the fray and in doing so wrote his name in the history books. While most of his peers were studying for their GCSEs and playing kickabout in the park, Rigg was living out the dream of every Sunderland fan by pulling on the iconic red and white shirt in a senior game all before he was even old enough to leave school.
Significant moments
And while for some, the historic significance of that moment may have passed by fairly quietly, for Rigg, it has surely became a core memory.
Given his rapid rise and burgeoning reputation, there was of course an air of inevitability that Sunderland would struggle to keep hold of him. Many assumed – and not without just cause – that one of the Premier League’s elite, or even a top European club, would soon be snapping him up (more on that later).
After all, during the Madrox era, selling off young talent had become a grim part of the club’s business model. Whilst the shareholding arrangements had obviously altered since those Donald and Methven days, it still seemed likely that the riches on offer to Rigg would be sufficient to entice the Black Cats’ young diamond away in order to be polished up elsewhere. Especially when the sums on offer would have likely set Rigg and his family up for life, before even he reached adulthood.
Indeed, some might have viewed Rigg’s initial appearances in the senior side as simply a means of Sunderland driving up the eventual compensation the club would receive once he moved on (perhaps understandably so). But, Tony Mowbray – then head coach and never one to shy away from honesty – sought to quickly dismiss such suspicions. Mogga said at the time:
“He was put on the pitch because he deserves to be on the pitch.”
No, Chris Rigg does not hang about.
On 2nd September 2023, Rigg further etched his name into Sunderland’s history books. Coming off the bench against Southampton in the EFL Championship, the then 16-year-old midfielder capped off a dominant 5-0 victory at the Stadium of Light by scoring the final goal, becoming the club’s youngest ever league goalscorer.
Record breaker
In breaking a record that had stood for over half a century – previously held by Jimmy Hamilton – Rigg once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the brightest young talents to emerge in years – not only from Sunderland’s own academy but the English game. It was a moment that not only underlined his potential but also further hinted at the exciting future ahead.
So, just how big of a talent is he and how big is his ceiling?
Well, although the stats have no doubt changed since, only Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal had more goal scoring actions per 90mins for players under 20 years of age a few short weeks ago.
That should give you some idea.
Reflecting on his own game, Rigg simply says:
“…I’m just a traditional midfielder. I love to attack, I love to defend. I can do both. I can add to it. And as you can see I love a tackle as well. Kind of a box-to-box midfielder.”
It is all said with a modesty that belies his special talent.
While comparisons are never going to be truly fair and are an easy trap to fall into, they perhaps can offer some useful comparisons to help us judge what could be possible for young Rigg in the future. That is especially true when data is used to underpin that analysis. Therefore, if comparisons are going to be made at all – and recognising if nothing else it is an interesting exercise – we may as well compare Rigg with one of the best midfielders around – Jude Bellingham.
Rigg vs Jude Bellingham
However, before we get too carried away, let’s look only at data from the time he was breaking through at Birmingham City in the Championship, to offer us the closest comparison between them in respect of age and minutes on the pitch.
Indeed, once we do there is a compelling argument for saying the above radar chart not only offers a fascinating glimpse into the early careers of two of England’s brightest young midfielders but also allows us a ‘fantasy football’ style look at how Rigg shapes up against Jobe’s older brother, at a similar stage in their development.
And, happily, Rigg shapes up rather well indeed.
The stats
We can see that in terms of passing accuracy, 2024 Chris Rigg actual edges the 2019 Jude Bellingham (78.0% vs 76.2%), showing a composure that belies his age. Rigg has the slight advantage in progressive passes too (3.9 vs 3.8 per 90mins) showing the young Black Cat has a similar creative, style to Bellingham, which the latter has now refined even further adding that real drive which has become the hallmark of his game.
In respect of looking to be on the front foot, Bellingham’s early potential was clear, even at 16. There are more key passes than Rigg at a similar age showing the attacking intent that has taken him to the top level in world football was there early on. However, Rigg appears more focused on control and distribution with much better numbers under the ‘through-balls’ metric and with less ‘turnovers’ too it evidences his ability to retain the ball better than Bellingham (at the same stage) under pressure.
It is interesting to note that at similar ages and minutes played, both are almost identical in respect of ‘successful dribbles’ (2.0 per 90). While Bellingham outperformed Rigg in progressive carries per 90 – again echoing an approach he would further develop into his trademark style – it is Rigg who has already exceeded him in goal scoring contributions. In fact Bellingham ‘only’ managed four goals and two assists for Birmingham City in 42 appearances before his big money move to Dortmund. Whereas Rigg already has five goals after just 32 senior appearances.
Data offers insight
In short, the comparison highlights the detail behind two distinct career trajectories. Bellingham’s Championship numbers in 2019 hinted at a future box-to-box star, while Rigg’s current profile could suggest a less powerful but more technically creative player who is yet to fully blossom. Both exciting, both gifted, but in different ways.
Placing the analytics to one side and we can also get an idea of the sort of player Rigg wishes to be by those he is seeking to replicate. As noted recently in The Athletic, his idols are Modric and he also confirms that he watches clips of Zidane, Lampard, and Gerrard.
Yet, the youngster perhaps sensibly understands comparisons can in some ways be futile, stating:
“I don’t want to be Steven Gerrard, I want to be Chris Rigg.”
For those watching from the outside of the Sunderland bubble, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement around his rise. Sky Sports are already enjoying building him up just as much as supporters are enjoying watching him play, having recently handed him ‘man of the match awards.’ But it’s equally important to surely temper those expectations with the harsh realities of professional football and the likes of our own Kieron Brady should also offer a cautionary tale.
After all, Rigg is still just a teenager.
In fact, he is only now old enough to be able to apply for his provisional driving licence, confirming recently to the club’s official YouTube channel that he has already failed his theory test several times, proving he is human after all!
Real Madrid et al
Yet, his name is the one that is most often mentioned amongst Sunderland’s exciting, youthful side that is now – under the stewardship of Régis Le Bris – currently at the summit of the Championship. We should take some comfort that scouts from across Europe are making regular trips to the Stadium of Light, with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Manchester United all often credited with interest. If this were not the case we would not be witnessing such talent develop in front of our eyes on a weekly basis.
Of course the downside is we may find that a huge bid will land on the desk of Black Cat chiefs in January should Rigg continue to positively impact games in the second tier. Thankfully, those early fears of him departing the club for a nominal fee before signing a pro-contract did not come to bear. The now 17-year-old academy graduate agreed a three-deal to stay at the Stadium of Light (until at least 2027) in July and told supporters via the club’s social media channels:
“I am absolutely buzzing…I have been dying to sign for almost a year now. The hard work starts now but I am looking forward to making many more memories representing this Club.”
As such, if and when he does leave it should be for a sizeable sum. The club should take much credit for this deal. Convincing one of the game’s brightest prospects to commit his immediate future to a side in the Championship when Real Madrid were knocking on his door is quite the achievement.
How good can he be?
Sensibly too, the lure of minutes on the pitch means more to Rigg at this moment in his career than money in the pocket and the prestige of wearing one of Europe’s elite football badges on his chest. Following Alan Browne’s absence through injury against Sheffield Wednesday in August, Rigg grasped his opportunity with both hands and has been an ever present in the starting XI since.
As Mowbray once said, he is there on merit. And, at 17 years of age, playing in the Championship week in and week out, in front of home crowds of 40,000 plus, there cannot be many greater plaudits.
Just how big of a talent can Chris Rigg be? The short answer is; however big he wants.
Photo by Mark Fletcher via MI News & Sport/Alamy
