Crystal Palace are now looking to repeat the Adam Wharton coup in 2025 with a talent who could be even better than Jordan Henderson.
The Champions League and Premier League-winning captain had an incredible career.
Liverpool got a bargain when they picked up Jordan Henderson for £16m from Sunderland – but now Dougie Freedman has his eyes locked on one talent who could be better.
Crystal Palace’s midfield is a position which on paper looks deep – however in actuality is paper thin, with injury problems plaguing much of the group this season.
Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma are all either injured right now or treading thin ice to avoid re-aggravating injuries.
Due to this, 2025 could actually see a bit of a revamp in the position with one 17-year-old being increasingly linked.
READ MORE: Who is Dougie Freedman? The Crystal Palace Sporting Director linked with Manchester United switch
Crystal Palace looking to sign Chris Rigg
One player Crystal Palace have been linked with lately is Roy Keane 2.0 Chris Rigg from Sunderland, amid his excellent season in the Championship.
It was reported earlier this month by The Sun that Crystal Palace were actually eyeing up a £20m January move and now there has been further reported interest.
According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are so keen on Rigg that on several occasions the teenager has been scouted by the Eagles.
Crystal Palace regards Rigg as one of England’s best – although as we know Manchester United are the favourite to complete the move, while both Chelsea and Real Madrid are also interested.
The Eagles are prepared to rival these big clubs for the deal and could offer Rigg a more important role in the team which may tempt him – although with Sunderland looking likely to be promoted, it could take more than that to get him to ditch his boyhood club.
Chris Rigg could eclipse Jordan Henderson
Whoever manages to sign Rigg will be getting a player who is destined to become elite in his career and one who is being tipped to become Sunderland’s best recent export.
Rigg has proven this season that he can do it all on a football pitch from back to front – and Sunderland journalist Michael Graham has even predicted that he will be better than former Liverpool skipper Henderson.
“Chris Rigg by the way… utterly unbelievable that Sunderland has Jobe Bellingham and he’s the club’s SECOND best teenage central midfield prospect. Huge talent. Best I’ve ever seen come through at #SAFC and we’ve produced a Premier League and Champions League-winning captain.
“I think Rigg’s ceiling is higher. A lot higher.”
This is quite the prediction and if true and Crystal Palace manages to make the move, it might be an incredible swoop by Freedman. However, despite the £20m reported fee – he is likely to potentially even double this.
