Total Football Analysis Breakout XI for 2025 includes eight ‘alternates’ / ‘bench players’ who almost made the cut for a full scouting report in the magazine.
Those players will still be covered with a mini-data analysis.
Next up is sub-centre-mid Chris Rigg.
Not just in the Championship but across the EFL, Sunderland’s Chris Rigg has been one of the players to watch out for this season so far.
Sunderland‘s form has taken a slight downturn at the time of writing; they are currently fourth, but Chris Rigg is presently one of the best players in the Championship.
He might be the most exciting talent from England’s second tier to watch out for in 2025.
The visualisation below shows where Rigg ranks for some key metrics compared with the other attacking midfielders in the Championship and similar leagues.
Only two players aged 20 or under have played more minutes than Chris Rigg in the EFL Championship this season.
Rigg also has the joint-second-most goals (three) among players in that age category.
Having played most of his minutes as an attacking midfielder, Rigg positions himself in the right channel for ball progression.
He also brings in a lot of energy and is a good counterpresser in the opponent’s half.
Rigg’s ball control is one of his biggest strengths, and the midfielder can quite easily receive and turn when pressed.
He is an all-action midfielder who covers the entire pitch during some games, which certifies his excellent work rate.
Although his involvement inside the box can sometimes be questioned, he makes up for it by playing a key role outside and driving attacks.
Rigg might not currently rank above average for some key metrics, as seen in the visual above, but he has proven to be a consistent performer, and there is evidence that his game is on the rise.
In his second season with the Sunderland first-team, Rigg has established himself as one of the key players in his club’s lineup.
If he continues to rise above expectations, a move to the Premier League during the summer would not be a surprise.
