STRACHAN: BALLARD IS CL QUALITY

Dan Ballard has had an excellent start to life in the Premier League as he stepped up to the challenge of the Premier League. His impressive displays have resulted in him receiving plaudits from many fans and recently he's been labelled as a 'Champions League level' player from none other than Gordon Strachan!

LEARNED FROM MISTAKES

"I think Dan Ballard is terrific. I think early in his career, he made a couple of mistakes at crucial times but those moments are gone now. He'll still make mistakes in general, but he doesn't look like a player who will make a mistake now. Three years ago, he looked like a player who would make a mistake. You don't have this feeling about him anymore."

BELIEF

"He now believes in himself. He's become a better footballer. He's a giant of a man, imposing in both boxes and we know how important that is these days."

CAN DO IT ALL

"I think the game has never really changed. People haven't noticed that, but it's never changed. You need a certain amount of people to head the ball out of the box, some to head the ball, and the other goes. It hasn't changed, it's just people are realising it now. And he's got that, but he can play as well. I think he could move to a top team now."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEVEL

"I know the Sunderland fans wouldn't want him to, but as a young man, you want to play at the highest level. And that means Champions League level. Do I think he could play at the Champions League level? Absolutely, I do."

Credit: BetVictor Casino  https://www.betvictor.com/en-gb/casino