Régis Le Bris highlights key change as Chris Rigg sets perfect example | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris has hailed Chris Rigg’s improved poise and work ethic, saying the midfielder now exemplifies Sunderland’s patient approach to developing their youngsters after earning a recent recall to the starting XI.

His minutes were scarce early in the Premier League campaign, with no league appearance between the 3-0 defeat to Brentford on 7 January and the 1-0 win over Leeds on 3 March. As reported by Sunderland Echo, that spell proved valuable, leaving him ready when the chance arrived.

He was arguably Sunderland’s best performer in the 1-0 loss to Brighton at the Stadium of Light, then built on it with an excellent display in the 2-1 win over Newcastle a week later. Senior team-mates showed trust in that Brighton game, talking him through moments and finding him in tight areas.

Le Bris said that credit had been earned on the pitch, not with words, and that earlier turnovers can make colleagues hesitant to pass. Rigg has reversed that through attitude, resilience and character in training, and when an experienced player such as Granit seeks combinations with you it signals maturity and supports the need to give youngsters time within Sunderland’s identity.

Reflecting after the Newcastle win, Rigg felt time out of the side had let him work on his game and improve, and he stressed the need to stay consistent.

Rigg is with England’s U19s aiming to reach this summer’s European Championship. He came on in the second half in a 2-0 defeat to Serbia earlier this week, so they must top the group to qualify. England face Spain on Saturday at 11am, then Croatia on Tuesday at 1.45pm.

Source: Sunderland Echo