REGIS LE BRIS currently feels Chris Rigg’s best position is in a central area, even if it means the Sunderland youngster faces a major battle to hold down a place in the boss’ preferred line-up.
Rigg was on the bench for the Black Cats’ opening game of the Championship season, coming on as a second-half substitute to replace right winger Patrick Roberts.
The teenager was back in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup game at Preston, and was restored to a central-midfield role as the Black Cats suffered a 2-0 defeat.
Sunderland have a number of options in the central area, with Dan Neil, Alan Browne, Jobe Bellingham and Pierre Ekwah all battling for a starting spot alongside Rigg.
Nevertheless, Le Bris feels the 17-year-old is currently best suited to a central position, even if it leaves the head coach with a selection dilemma.
“He's (Rigg) still a young player, so I think he can play on the right as a winger, but only out of possession,” explained the Sunderland head coach, whose side return to action when they take host Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship in a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday. “In a one-versus-one situation, I think it's not his best position.
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“But when he can roll inside and create a box, for example, he can play very well. As a midfielder, in the position he played (at Preston), I think he could play well, but he can also play as a number ten in a 4-4-2, for example. So, these three positions are good for him and good for the team.”
Rigg committed his long-term future to Sunderland when he signed his first professional contract with the Black Cats earlier this summer.
The England Under-18 international was the subject of interest from a number of clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle United, but opted to remain with Sunderland, having first joined the club’s academy when he was ten.
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