Sunderland wonderkid plays down Europe talk despite bright return to Premier League

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Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg has refused to get carried away with any talk about the Black Cats finishing in a European spot this season. Sunderland have made a brilliant start to life back in the Premier League - picking up 14 points from their opening eight top-flight fixtures.

Regis Le Bris's side are currently in seventh position following their 2-0 win over strugglers Wolves at the weekend. The Wearsiders spent over £140million this summer in an attempt to stave off relegation back to the Championship.

It's so far, so good for Sunderland and Rigg, who is just 18-years-old, started his third Premier League game during the win over Vitor Pereira's side. "I'm buzzing to be fair," Rigg said post-match when asked about Sunderland's start to the season.

"It's so good to be in a team that you know everyone's got their backs. For example, if someone's lost the ball, I'd know I'd work for them.

"And the opposite, if I lost the ball, they'd work for me. So I'm just buzzing to be a part of this team - and so proud of the team, as well."

Rigg is closing in on 100 senior appearances despite his young age. He broke into the Sunderland first-team set up as 15-year-old and hasn't looked back since.

He continued: "I think it's every boy's dream to be a Premier League player, and not just to be a Premier League player, to be a player that's grew up in this city, this town and what it means for the fans. So like you say on the pitch, I give it my all for the fans.

"And yeah, just so proud to finally call myself a Premier League player.

"I've definitely got the qualities to be a Premier League player. Obviously, I've still got so much more to learn - as you can see - and the team's got so much to learn.

"We're still gelling, there's still a lot of new players that need to gel. But I think we're on the right path."

When asked if Sunderland fans could dream this season about a potential European finish, Rigg said: "I've been a football fan and I would dream because they're doing so well and hopefully it can only get better. Personally, I don't [think about European football]. I just look for the next game, because you're only as good as your last game.

"At times, there was a bit of sloppiness from myself and from my team-mates today, but that digging in, grittiness and working hard together got us through the game."