There were some at Anfield who weren’t sure Jordan Henderson would ever be a Premier League winner, but those at Sunderland won’t share those doubts after how the midfielder impressed at the Stadium of Light.
Before becoming Liverpool’s captain, the serial-winning midfielder was showing off his skills at Soccer Am’s Skill Skool and caught the eye of Roy Keane.
After making his senior debut aged just 18 in 2009, Sunderland knew the player they had on their hands and have been looking for similar academy success ever since.
How Henderson became the best academy graduate at Sunderland
Although it was Coleman who gave him the chance to go on loan at Coventry City, Henderson got most of his chances at Sunderland through Steve Bruce.
This seasoned coach made this young player a pillar and reaped good results, he saw him score five goals and assist ten others while he was in charge.
|
Henderson at Sunderland |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
79 |
|
Goals |
5 |
|
It helps |
10 |
After winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons, a big move was always inevitable and Liverpool soon arrived.
Now, ten years later, Henderson is the most successful player to come out of Sunderland’s academy.
He was not only part of the Liverpool team that won the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and Super Cup under Jurgen Klopp. He was the captain. Even Steven Gerrard can boast of that portfolio with the Liverpool armband.
From Wearside to Liverpool’s greatness, it’s no surprise that Sunderland have been searching for their next Henderson since he left in 2011.
Results, in that area, have been mixed, but Regis Le Bris may have cracked the code two years ago and found a player who could follow in Henderson’s footsteps.
Sunderland’s new Henderson appears
Apart from the part where Liverpool suddenly arrived, Sunderland will be keen to see Chris Rigg follow in Henderson’s footsteps.
The youngster has already gained one over the former Liverpool captain by playing 16 instead of 18, and proved against Newcastle that the only way is over.
It’s not often that a youngster gets the chance to not only start a Tyne-Wear derby but also secure victory. Henderson was unable to do so, losing 5-1 before finding a 1-1 draw. Rigg, however, did just that on Sunday. He just thrives in games like this; Who can forget that goal against Middlesbrough?
The 18-year-old was trusted by Le Bris from the start and played the perfect 90 on Sunday as the Black Cats came from behind to beat their rivals in the blink of an eye. As a Sunderland graduate, it doesn’t get much better.
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Chris Rigg vs Newcastle |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Opportunities are created |
3 |
|
Defense contributions |
11 |
|
Ground Duels Won |
5/5 |
|
A touch in the opposition box |
5 |
The teenager was also not a passenger. By the time the final whistle blew, Rigg had made 11 defensive tackles, created three chances, had five touches in the Newcastle box, and won all of his matches. It was a perfect show on the biggest stage on Tyneside. As a young Henderson, he was everywhere.
No wonder he was described as “phenomenal” by Como scout Ben Mattinson last year. Since then, he has improved a lot and should keep his place in the first team of Le Bris.
The bad news for Sunderland is that a mid-table position wasn’t enough to keep Henderson in 2011 and if the Liverpool side come calling for the late-school star, the Black Cats could face the same problem all these years later.
That’s why Le Bris must not waste the opportunity to get the best out of Rigg while still a Sunderland player. With seven games left to play in the Premier League, the youngster should be one of the first names in the club’s squad. He certainly proved against Newcastle that he is ready.
Sunderland got Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham hybrid vs Newcastle
Sunderland got another famous win over Newcastle United.
