James Copley: Régis Le Bris handed major Newcastle United selection dilemma after teenager shines against Brighton

Chris Rigg has come under increasing scrutiny this season. That is perhaps inevitable when a young player bursts onto the scene as he did, raising expectations almost overnight. But it is worth pausing for a moment to remember exactly who Sunderland are dealing with here - and just how unusual his journey has already been.

Rigg has been part of the conversation at Sunderland for so long that it is easy to forget how young he actually is. He made his senior debut for the Black Cats in the FA Cup at just 15 years old. A year later, at 16, he became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he struck in the Carabao Cup under Tony Mowbray. Then last season, still only 17, he was a regular part of a midfield that went on to win promotion from the Championship.

For most players, any one of those milestones would be extraordinary. Rigg achieved all three before most footballers have even finished their scholarship. Naturally, that kind of early exposure creates expectation. Supporters become accustomed to seeing a player in the team and begin to judge them accordingly. But football development rarely runs in straight lines, particularly when the player in question is still a teenager. This season has been more complicated for Rigg.

Sunderland have strengthened significantly since promotion, and the level of competition has increased across the squad. Minutes are harder to come by, and rhythm becomes difficult to find when appearances are sporadic. Rigg has started only a handful of league games under Régis Le Bris this season, with many of his 12 appearances coming from the bench.

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That context has led to some debate among supporters in recent weeks. Before Saturday’s game against Brighton, there had been growing voices suggesting that Rigg might benefit from a loan move elsewhere to play regular football and continue his development. It is a perfectly understandable argument on the surface. Young players often need consistent minutes to grow. But moments like Brighton are a reminder of why Sunderland have chosen a different path with Rigg.

He endured a difficult afternoon in the FA Cup defeat to Port Vale - a performance that mirrored Sunderland’s wider struggles on a day that ended in embarrassment for the club. Young players often feel those moments most sharply. They are also the moments that reveal something about mentality. Against Brighton, Rigg responded. Despite Sunderland falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light, he was arguably their standout performer.

Operating from the right side of the attack, he showed the sharpness, confidence and intelligence that have long marked him out as a special talent. More importantly, he showed the mentality that has long impressed Régis Le Bris. For a player still so young, that resilience is one of his most valuable qualities. To deliver a performance like that after a difficult week speaks volumes, and from a Sunderland perspective, it was hugely pleasing to see. It was the kind of display that serves as a reminder rather than a revelation. The ability has never been in doubt.

What sometimes gets lost in the noise surrounding young players is context. Rigg has already been linked with many of Europe’s biggest clubs, and Sunderland fought hard to secure his future, tying him down to a new long-term contract last summer. That deal was widely seen as a major boost on Wearside and underlined the belief the club have in his potential. They see the long game. Not every talented player develops on a perfectly upward curve. Periods of adjustment, frustration and learning are often part of the process. In fact, they are usually essential to it.

With Rigg, the temptation is often to judge him against the player many expect him to become rather than the one he currently is. The reality, however, remains strikingly simple: he is still a teenager. It only feels as though he has been around forever because he arrived so early. Players of that level of talent are worth patience. Sunderland know it, and deep down, most supporters do too.

What his performance against Brighton also did was hand Le Bris a genuine selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United. Sunderland are dealing with several injury issues, particularly in the wide areas, with Nilson Angolo and Bertrand Traoré set to miss the game, while Enzo Le Fée’s availability is uncertain. In that context, Rigg’s display suddenly feels even more significant - not just as evidence of his talent, but as a timely sign that he may yet have an important role to play in one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

Of course, there are other factors to weigh up. Is Rigg ready to handle the emotional intensity of starting against Sunderland’s fiercest rivals? The club his dad supports? Is he prepared for the inevitable barbs from Geordie supporters? And can he keep his composure and tactical discipline in the white heat of such a fierce contest? These are all questions Le Bris will be considering carefully. Handing an 18-year-old a starting role in a fixture of this magnitude is no small call, and the Sunderland head coach will know exactly what is at stake when he names his team.

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