Patrick Roberts Issues Advice to Chris Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda Amid Sunderland Frustration
Patrick Roberts, now a Birmingham City attacker, has urged Sunderland youngsters including chris rigg and Eliezer Mayenda to remain patient and resilient as they cope with reduced roles and public criticism. Roberts drew on his own career to tell the pair to keep believing in their ability and keep working hard.
Roberts’ Core Message: Patience, Resilience and Persistence
Roberts framed his advice around the ups and downs of a professional career. He said he looks back at his own pathway — moving to a major club at 18 and experiencing both highs and lows — when speaking with younger players. “You’ll always get your opportunity if you’re good enough. It’s just about taking it and enjoying it. And then riding through maybe some bad moments, ” he said, urging the youngsters to “keep believing in your ability and just keep working hard, keep improving. “
What It Means For Chris Rigg
Roberts singled out the importance of mental steadiness for developing players. chris rigg, who remains just 18, is being carefully managed as he seeks to break through at the top level. Roberts noted that the talent is obvious but that opportunities at this level are earned differently, and he urged young players to get their heads down and keep proving themselves every day.
The need for perspective was underlined by recent criticism: both Rigg and Mayenda were singled out after poor performances in the shock FA Cup defeat to Port Vale, and Roberts acknowledged how hard that stage of development can feel when minutes are harder to come by.
Mayenda, Roberts’ Own Path and the Club Environment
Roberts pointed to Eliezer Mayenda’s experience as an example of how persistence can be rewarded. He recalled Mayenda’s loan spell at Hibs and how he returned to find opportunities, later scoring frequently. Mayenda’s case, Roberts suggested, shows that form and minutes can come around again if players keep working.
Roberts also described his own early career arc as relevant background. He moved to Manchester City at 18 after emerging at Fulham, then rebuilt momentum through loan spells including a notable period at Celtic. He reflected on both the frustration of fighting for opportunities at a top club and the elation of title-winning campaigns. Roberts noted specific milestones from his pathway, including limited senior appearances at his first big club and a productive run of 18 goals in 79 appearances across three seasons at Celtic, where he won multiple trophies and played European football.
On the broader question of whether Sunderland is equipped to help young players flourish, Roberts was emphatic that the environment can be right for development and that young talents should cherish and grow from the good moments when they arrive.
Roberts’ message to Rigg and Mayenda was straightforward: accept that football is “very up and down, ” keep improving, and be ready to seize opportunities when they come.
