“No disrespect” – Sunderland AFC: Pundit issues Chris Rigg verdict as Newcastle United claims emerge
Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg is unlikely to join rivals Newcastle United anytime soon, after reports that the 17-year-old would be open to a move to St James’ Park.
Sunderland have been the Championship’s surprise package for 2024/25, and recently-appointed head-coach Regis Le Bris’ faith in young players is paying off so far this term, with 17-year-old Rigg the key beneficiary of his trust in youth.
The midfield starlet plays well beyond his years and has been one of the Black Cats’ leading stars this season, so he looks destined to have a stellar career at the top level in the future.
His outstanding form has seen numerous top teams linked with a move for his services, but a fresh update in the race for his signature from GIVEMESPORT claims that he would be interested in eventually heading to the Magpies, as he is eager to join a side regularly competing for European qualification and silverware if he leaves Sunderland soon – not to mention that his father is a supporter of the Tyneside outfit.
Carlton Palmer issues Chris Rigg, Newcastle United verdict
Rigg became the second-youngest player in Sunderland’s history when he made his debut in January 2023, and emerged as a regular in the senior side last season at just 16-years-old, with 22 appearances and three goals in all competitions.
He has been linked with a move to Newcastle throughout his rapid ascent to Sunderland stardom, and his dad is a known Magpies supporter, but Rigg has stayed on Wearside, and this term has seen his performances go up another level altogether.
The 17-year-old has earned major plaudits throughout English football for his standout showings, as he has been a regular starter since the start of this campaign, and bagged important goals against Middlesbrough and Leeds United while earning the Championship Young Player of the Month award for September.
Rigg is destined to go on to achieve big things in the game, and former player and current pundit Palmer rubbished talk of him joining Sunderland’s arch-rivals anytime soon, as a result, when speaking exclusively to Football League World, as he is of the opinion that he will join a bigger club than the Magpies if he does leave the Stadium of Light either in January or at the end of the season.
Palmer said: “I know some Sunderland fans would see that as a betrayal, but Newcastle are going really well under Eddie Howe. He’s done a fantastic job.
“Newcastle have been chasing Chris Rigg for a long time. They were interested in getting him before he signed his first professional contract at Sunderland.
“For me, he is the outstanding youngster in the Championship.
“No disrespect to Newcastle United, but Chris Rigg will be bound for a top club either in the UK or in Europe.
“So, (playing for Newcastle) ‘in the future’ could mean way, way down the line in the future.
“I think he’s destined for the top of the game, if he continues to make the progress and the strides that he is doing.
“You never know, if Newcastle come up with the money, but have they got that type of money to come up with now? 50 or 60 million pounds for a player?
“He’d certainly go straight into the first team, and the development would go on.
“When you play for any club, and then go to a club that are their rivals, then of course the supporters aren’t going to be happy – I don’t see that happening with Rigg in the near future.”
Chris Rigg has been linked with a move to some top clubs
Rigg’s breakthrough last season was well-documented as he became one of the Black Cats’ most important players in the second-half of the campaign, and the Sunderland Echo reported in February that his performances had earned interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
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