Keeping Chris Rigg at Sunderland is a huge boost for everyone

07/05/2024 12:45 AM

Persuading Chris Rigg that his interests would be best served as part of Régis Le Bris' squad is a major statement of intent.

He lived the 'teenage dream' with that goal against Southampton last season, and the sight of Chris Rigg proudly wearing Sunderland's new home shirt with his first professional contract in his back pocket gave every Lads fan a midsummer boost earlier this week.

The news that the youngster was set to put pen to paper had already been reported by Fabrizio Romano and hinted at by Kristjaan Speakman, but it was officially confirmed on Tuesday in typical fashion: the teaser tweet, the accompanying video, and a statement from the player himself.

I am absolutely buzzing, to be honest.

It is a proud moment for myself and my family to be signing my first professional contract at a club like Sunderland.

Resolving the potentially thorny issue of Rigg's future was key, not least because it's spiked the guns of entitled Newcastle supporters who'd been trumpeting the attacker as a 'nailed on' signing, claiming that his supposed connections with Tyneside meant that he'd be guaranteed to make the switch.

Never mind, lads. Better luck next time.

Following the news that Archie Gray (a player with whom Rigg will be level in terms of influence by this time next year) has opted to make a big money move to Tottenham, ensuring that we didn't lose such a rare gem of a player this summer is something to set the mind at ease.

A club statement along the lines of 'We're heartbroken to lose one of our own but we appreciate that Chris has been presented with a huge opportunity at such-and-such a club' would've been a kick in the teeth for everyone, but thankfully that's been avoided.

It's true that interest in Rigg is sure to increase in the years to come and that we'd be naïve to assume otherwise, but for now he's ours, and to those in the Stadium of Light boardroom? Huge kudos.

For ensuring that the future of such a prodigiously talented player remains red and white (hopefully for a couple of years, at least) the club should be given credit, and this is a move that certainly aligns with Speakman's 'progressive' vision for Sunderland.

During a summer where our incomings and outgoings will be subject to a great deal of scrutiny, persuading Rigg that his interests would be best served as part of Régis Le Bris' squad is a major statement of intent and despite only turning seventeen a matter of weeks ago, his remarkable rise to prominence is surely set to continue.

If loan moves are to be the order of the day for some of our players during 2024/2025, Rigg's name certainly won't be among them and it's a good bet that by the time we kick off against Cardiff, he'll be fully ready to tackle the new campaign head on.

There are many facets of Rigg's game that should find favour with Le Bris.

His confidence, work rate and skill on the ball are chief among them, not to mention his status as an England captain, and if the Frenchman's tactical approach is as sharp as his reputation suggests he'll have no problem in harnessing the ability of Rigg and making him a key component of our side.

On a more cautionary note we mustn't overplay Rigg to the point of burnout next season, but he's got all the attributes needed to be a hugely effective player at this level, and certainly above.

The one thing a player of Rigg's calibre needs is freedom.

Freedom to play his natural game, to take risks and to try things that could pay off handsomely. He's blessed with the unmistakable freewheeling spirit of what we once called a 'street footballer' and that needs to be put to good use.

To a large extent he was frustratingly shackled within Mike Dodds' system towards the end of last season, but if we can bolster our forward line and gradually start to move back towards a more positive style of play, his talent should be able to flourish.

If one player embodies the remarkable turnaround at academy level and the opportunities being granted to local lads at our club it's surely Rigg, and the fact that he's decided to remain at Sunderland is one hell of a vote of confidence in the direction in which we're hopefully heading.

Our club has a proud tradition of providing pathways to the first team for talented youngsters. Rigg is the latest to be given the chance, and next season will almost certainly be his breakout campaign in the red and white stripes.

Let's make the most of his talent for as long as we can.