STATS: BALLARD BREAKDOWN

He was a bit-part player for the majority of last year due to injuries and the excellent pairing of Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien but made his return to the side in the play-offs. His heroic goal against Coventry, his colossus defensive displays across all three games, his Premier League debut goal against West Ham, his rocket against Arsenal and keeping the best striker in the world quiet on Saturday, it has been a quite ridiculous few months for Dan Ballard. He was already a fan favourite but that header back in May has probably put him in the legend/cult hero status and etched his name into Sunderland folklore forever. He is having a monster season in Red and White but how does he compare to the very best in the league?

Ballard has always been known for his ability in the air on Wearside, winning 50 out of his 84 aerial duels this season, putting him eighth in the league for that particular stat. Interestingly teammate Nordi Mukiele sits fourth for highest win percentage of aerial duels (72.1%). Sunderland’s number five has been solid in ground duels as well this campaign winning 26 off the 37, he has been involved in with a win percentage of 70.3%. West Ham’s Jean Clear Todibo (71%), Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk (73.1%) and Arsenal’s Gabriel (78.1%) the only players better than Ballard in that area.

His defensive efforts of keeping Haaland quiet on Saturday also mean that Sunderland are the only side Erling Haaland has not scored against in the Premier League, we will see if that lasts past New Years Day.

The Northern Irish international has been key at the other end of the pitch as well, creating six chances for us this season, which (joint with Xhaka) puts him fourth for chances created in open play for us this season. Perhaps a slightly worrying stat that not one of our out and out wingers are in the top four, with Le Fee leading the way and operating on the left regularly this season the closest to that. Ballard is also our joint second top scorer alongside Chemsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee with two, trailing Wilson Isidor who leads the way with four.

Only Jan Paul Van Hecke (Brighton), Trevor Chalobah (Chelsea) and Micky Van De Ven (Tottenham) have more goals from centre half than Dan Ballard, with all of them sitting on three.

Possession wise, only Xhaka (765) and Sadiki (487) have completed more passes than his 458 for us this season. This is something that people thought would be an issue for him and why O’Nien was often given the nod over him last year, however there can be no doubt that he has looked far from uncomfortable on the ball this season and alongside Alderete and Mukiele, been a key factor in the way we play.

Overall, it has been fantastic to see Ballard establish himself in the Premier League and has shown he is more than capable at this level. With the derby on Saturday, he has the task of keeping Woltemade quiet and what certainly would go down well, is another big game Dan Ballard goal…