The former Sunderland winger has urged patience and resilience as two of the club’s brightest talents navigate reduced roles in the Premier League under Régis Le Bris

Patrick Roberts has urged Sunderland’s young players - including Chris Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda - to stay patient, resilient and confident in their own ability as he reflected on the realities of breaking through at elite level.

The winger speaks with credibility. Roberts moved to Manchester City at just 18 after emerging at Fulham, before high-profile loan spells - most notably at Celtic - shaped his early career. He experienced the elation of title-winning campaigns in Scotland and the frustration of fighting for opportunities at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. That perspective, he says, allows him to understand exactly what Sunderland’s emerging talents are currently experiencing.

His words feel particularly relevant right now. Mayenda, still only 20, has shown flashes of promise this season but has seen minutes harder to come by under Régis Le Bris as the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League increase. Rigg, meanwhile, remains just 18 and continues to be carefully managed. The talent is obvious, but opportunities at this level are earned differently.

Roberts recognises the emotional strain that can accompany that stage of development. "I look at myself when I was that age. I moved to Manchester City when I was 18 and I know how tough that was. I know the level, I knew what you need to do. Maybe I didn't make the most of it as I could have, but I kind of know what it was like. So even with Eliezer (Mayenda) I'd always speak to Eli.

“Even when he went on loan to Hibs he'd come back and maybe not be in the team. I'd always tell him just keep going, you'll always get a chance. And then obviously he did and then he was scoring goals for fun. I just said to him, ‘Listen, this is what it's like’. Football is very up and down. You take the bad moments and when you have the good moments you really enjoy them because you know it's always going to be up and down. That's just the way life is."

For Roberts, perspectives everything. "I think it's hard for young players to understand that. Because I've been through it personally it's easier to understand. But I get it - as a young player you just want to play and you don't think, 'Well the manager's not playing me, have I done something wrong?' It could be many things.

"But at the same time you've just got to get your head down and keep proving every day that you should be where you are. I think if there's one bit of advice, maybe it's just that - keep believing in your ability and just keep working hard, keep improving. You'll always get your opportunity if you're good enough. It's just about taking it and enjoying it. And then riding through maybe some bad moments. When the good ones come, really cherish them, really take hold of it, really move on that and grow on that and become even better. That's what I would say."

Roberts’ own pathway underlines that message. After making just three senior appearances for Manchester City, he rebuilt momentum with 18 goals in 79 appearances across three seasons at Celtic, winning multiple trophies and playing European football. Development, he knows, is rarely linear.

Asked whether Sunderland is properly equipped for young players to flourish, Roberts was emphatic. "Yeah, I think so,” Roberts responded. “Obviously seeing now the opportunity. Being in League One maybe that was different because it's harder to get young players into first teams or give them a chance to play.

"But being in the Premier League you can really look after your academy and really grow it and bring in some good players. You're in an area of the country where there are only a few clubs in that kind of area, so if you're good enough then go to Sunderland and prove you're good and you'll eventually get games there.

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"It's a great place to be a part of. You see that with Rigg and you see what other players they've brought in. I think it's just about taking opportunities and really taking in what it's like to be in a football club and being around top players, training with them and getting that experience. I had that at a young age and even now I remember back to when I was training as a 17-year-old.

“You still remember those images in your head. You take them with you, you learn from them, you watch what other people do and try to learn from that. So it's a good place to be. I'm sure there'll be many more players coming out of Sunderland that really break through. I think it's a great academy, a great club and if they carry on the way they're going, they're doing amazing things."

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