Latest news with #ChrisRigg
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Sunderland 'exactly where they wanted to be' as they eye Premier League return
Régis Le Bris says Sunderland deserve their place in the play-off final after their performances this season Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris says his side have the chance to realise an ambition they set out on his first meeting with the squad - a return to the Premier League. The Black Cats are looking to end a period of eight years outside the top flight when they take on Sheffield United at Wembley. Sunderland finished fourth in the Championship under the Frenchman's stewardship - his first season in English football. His side are potentially just 90 minutes away from returning to English football's top table. He said: "We are exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season. "When we first met with the players in this room, I asked them, 'What is the purpose of this season?', and they told me, 'We want to get promoted'. "Here we are, so we will have this opportunity at the end of the week and we have shown this season discipline, resilience, identity. "We went through difficult moments and we didn't win comfortably this season – maybe once or twice – so we suffered and we are ready for another tough game. But at the same time, the desire, the ambition are really consistent because after 48 games, we deserve to be here." Sunderland have reached the final with the youngest squad in the Championship, with an average age of 23.2 years. Teenagers Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have been instrumental in their success. Sunderland's teenage midfielder Chris Rigg tells Simon O'Rourke he is living his dream ahead of the Championship play-off final. It has been a hard run for Sunderland since they tumbled out of the Premier League in 2017. The club suffered back-to-back relegations, spending four seasons in League One before clinching a return to the Championship. In 2023, the club reached the play-offs on the final day of the season, but fell short of reaching Wembley when they were beaten by Luton Town. This season, Sunderland booked their place at Wembley in dramatic fashion. Dan Ballard's last-gasp header, scored in the last second of extra time at the Stadium of Light, gave them a 3-2 win over Coventry. The club's captain Dan Neil says the club must ensure that the good memories extend beyond that moment. He said: "It feels a bit surreal we've been involved in one of those moments that will be talked about for a long time. "It's an unbelievable moment, but one thing we've all said is we've got to get the job done. "We don't want to just be remembered for Dan Ballard's header, we want to be remembered for going all the way, getting back to the Premier League."
The Independent
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Oxford United vs Sunderland LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Oxford United face Sunderland in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season. Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford. Follow live updates from today's game in the live blog below. Oxford United vs Sunderland Substitution, Sunderland. Alan Browne replaces Enzo Le Fée. 26 April 2025 16:34 Oxford United vs Sunderland Delay in match because of an injury Sam Long (Oxford United). 26 April 2025 16:33 Oxford United vs Sunderland Attempt blocked. Trai Hume (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Rigg. 26 April 2025 16:31 Oxford United vs Sunderland Chris Rigg (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 26 April 2025 16:30 Oxford United vs Sunderland Foul by Alex Matos (Oxford United). 26 April 2025 16:29 Oxford United vs Sunderland Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing. 26 April 2025 16:29 Oxford United vs Sunderland Substitution, Oxford United. Matt Phillips replaces Przemyslaw Placheta. 26 April 2025 16:28 Oxford United vs Sunderland Substitution, Oxford United. Alex Matos replaces Rúben Rodrigues. 26 April 2025 16:28 Oxford United vs Sunderland Attempt missed. Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. 26 April 2025 16:27
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Toffees keen on Sunderland duo
Everton are interested in Sunderland's English duo - forward Chris Rigg, 17, and midfielder Dan Neil, 23. (Teamtalk), externalManchester United are interested in Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22. (Sun), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Southampton want £100m+ for Spurs target Dibling
Southampton will demand more than £100m for 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling with the Englishman wanted by Tottenham and Manchester City. (Telegraph), externalMeanwhile, Sunderland and England Under-19s midfielder Chris Rigg, 17, is being closely monitored by a number of clubs - including Spurs, Everton and West Ham. (Sky Sports), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
The Guardian
25-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
West Ham look to Championship teen Chris Rigg to freshen up midfield
West Ham are lining up a move for the Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg. Tottenham have also tracked the 17-year-old but West Ham have put themselves in a strong position to advance their interest. Graham Potter wants to freshen up his midfield and talks have been held internally over a move for Rigg. The teenager is one of the hottest properties in the Championship and has attracted a lot of attention from clubs in the Premier League. Rigg is part of Sunderland's push for promotion and signed a three-year deal last summer. That leaves Sunderland in a strong position, particularly if they seal a return to the top flight. But West Ham are monitoring the situation and are keen to add more dynamism to their midfield. Rigg is admired by the club's coaching team and the recruitment department. He has scored four goals in 36 appearances this season and is an energetic player with a reputation for being aggressive with the ball. West Ham have lacked dynamism and craft in midfield this season. They have explored signing Angel Gomes on a free transfer but the Lille midfielder has not accepted their offer of a deal worth £100,000 a week. West Ham could receive offers for the Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek. Soucek's international teammate Vladimir Coufal has suggested he could leave West Ham when his contract expires in the summer. The right-back said the club had refused to let him join Fulham in January but it remains to be seen whether the 32-year-old will be offered a new deal after losing his place to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. West Ham have looked at the Nordsjælland right-back Lucas Høgsberg.
