"Destined to end up at Chelsea, Man Utd" - Pundit reacts to Chris Rigg update involving Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has suggested that Rigg should 'bide his time' before making a big decision in his promising career

Carlton Palmer believes that Chris Rigg should wait before making any drastic decisions on his future with several Premier League sides interested.

Palmer has advised Rigg that seeing out the season with Sunderland could be the right move, especially taking into account the Mackems' form this season.

As per a new development by Football Insider, Crystal Palace are stepping up their interest in the talented Black Cats star, with several of the Eagles' scouts watching Sunderland games this season, taking an interest in Rigg.

This follows the heavy interest already in the 17-year-old from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Palace's interest doesn't come as too much of a surprise after previously developing youngsters to move them on for a much larger profit.

Will Rigg fall into this category, or should he weigh up his options?

Carlton Palmer: "I'd bide my time and stay at Sunderland for at least this season"

Carlton Palmer has exclusively revealed to FLW that he believes whilst Rigg is 'destined for greatness' he should hold his options and remain with Sunderland in their bid for promotion.

"Crystal Palace, as we know, are well versed at signing young players, developing them and then moving them on for big money.

"They've done this really well in the past, seeing it with the likes of Michael Olise, who has just made the terrific move to Bayern Munich. They are now monitoring Chris Rigg, but a host of clubs are also keen.

"For me, he's the most talented player in the Championship, I think he's going to have a fantastic future. Would you move to Crystal Palace at this moment in time? I would say hang fire a little bit.

"I know Crystal Palace are a good club, well run, but Sunderland are top of the league, he could get to the Premier League with Sunderland if they recruit well in the January transfer window, and maybe just get that bit of experience in the top flight before making that big move.

"He is destined to move to a big club. He's destined to end up at Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal or Liverpool.

"He's the most talented player in the Championship, and he's destined for great things. I'm not saying don't go to Crystal Palace because he could go there and kick on to go to another big club. We've seen that happen before, but what he doesn't want to do is make that move and not play at Palace when he is at Sunderland.

"If it was me I'd bide my time and stay at Sunderland for at least this season and see where the situation is at the end of the season."

A move to Crystal Palace could suit Rigg in the future

The right option is looking like remaining at Sunderland, with a January move always being risky for a young player who would more than likely prefer a pre-season with the squad he's joining.

He's still only 17 and is remarkably a consistent Sunderland starter, and whilst he's got that status, and with Sunderland topping the Championship, it does seem like a no-brainer to see out the season with his boyhood club.

However, upon the summer's arrival, a move to Palace could be ideal.

As mentioned by Palmer, Olise got his big move in the summer, but he's just one example. Another situation slightly similar to Rigg's is that of Adam Wharton, who opted to move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers in January last year.

Although risky, Blackburn weren't in as good a place as Sunderland, so it seemed right for Wharton to move and, so far, he's flourished at Palace, making the England 2024 EURO's squad.

The same destiny could wait for Rigg, who by completing this season and earning promotion for his boyhood club, could find his status at Palace as a regular starter.

It's always a risk for a young player to make a big move in the first instance, to Man United, for example. So maybe Palace is the first step for Rigg in what is set to be a highly successful career.