Chris Rigg makes Sunderland admission after Newcastle rumours – ‘My club’
Chris Rigg has revealed where his heart is, having become a regular starter for Sunderland in the Championship.
Sunderland are three games away from being a Premier League side once again, and their youth-oriented approach is the main reason behind that success to date.
The Black Cats have shown a willingness to develop their own youngsters, while also recruiting from abroad and seeing them thrive on Wearside.
Rigg is the biggest success story of that approach over the last 12 months, and he has since spoken about how his affiliation with Newcastle plays a part in his day-to-day life at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have a future England midfielder in their ranks
Rigg is a regular at just 17 years old, showcasing just how much progress the teen has made at such a young age.
While his form has dipped recently at Sunderland, his overall impact throughout the campaign has been more than respectable and has attracted interest from around the globe, with the likes of Chelsea among those interested in signing him.
However, the rumoured affiliation with Newcastle through family links has always sparked debate, and in an interview with the Telegraph, Rigg has cleared it up.
| Sunderland | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Rigg | 42 | 4 | 1 |
He said: “Sunderland are my club, I’ve been here my whole life. I come from a family of Newcastle fans, there is no point hiding that, but it changes when you play for Sunderland in front of those fans.
“My family being Newcastle fans has no impact on me, it doesn’t change the way I feel about Sunderland. The fans have been unbelievable. They could have thought, ‘Nah, he’s a Newcastle fan’ or whatever, but I think I’ve shown what this club means to me. It’s not really a debate.
“My dad gives me a little bit of stick, but he comes to all Sunderland’s games. I think he is a secret Mackem now. He puts his son above everything, he loves watching me, and he absolutely loves coming to our games.”
Rigg serves as encouragement for Black Cats youngsters
Rigg has played in almost every game that he has been fit for this season, and it showcases that the Black Cats are willing to give opportunities to their young players.
Harrison Jones recently made his first-team debut, with Tommy Watson another who had broken into the side this season.
Regis Le Bris has played a big part in that, and his confidence in their young talent has prevailed more often than not, and they will reap the rewards if they continue to follow the same path at the Stadium of Light.