Chris Rigg

Rigg arrives in the box at exactly the moment a defender loses track of him, timing his run from deep rather than starting in advanced positions like an orthodox forward would. His finishing carries a calmness that stands out precisely because he is still so young, converting difficult chances with the same composure as routine ones. He backs that composure up defensively too, throwing himself into challenges a more cautious midfielder his age would choose to avoid.

The tension around Rigg is obvious to anyone who follows Sunderland, since every strong performance invites another headline about bigger clubs circling. He has stayed grounded through that noise so far, continuing to play with the same fearless streak rather than looking like a player waiting for his next move. Watch how he handles the week after a difficult result, because that tells you more than any highlight reel.