Sunderland- Games
- 6
- 5 starts
- Minutes
- 488
- 81 a game
- Goals
- 0
- 0.3 xG
- Assists
- 0
- 0.2 xA
Player profile
488 min · vs 275 centre-backs · 3 Nov 2026 · Method
Archetype: Dominant aerial centre-back
Ballard wins more headers than any centre-back for Sunderland and gets into the box at set pieces. His passing is loose, he rarely passes the ball forward, and he makes few interceptions or recoveries. From 488 minutes.
Key strengths
Strong in the air. Aerials won 5.16 per 90, top 1% of centre-backs.
Set-piece presence. Touches in the box 1.84 per 90 (top 10%) and shots 0.92 (79th percentile).
Tackles. Tackles 1.84 per 90, 70th percentile.
Areas for development
Loose passing. Pass accuracy 83.0%, 14th percentile.
Few interceptions. Interceptions 0.74 (14th percentile) and recoveries 2.77 (15th percentile) per 90.
Little forward passing. Passes into the final third 4.24 per 90, 27th percentile.
Similar players
- Charlie Cresswell RennesAerials won 99 v 98 and pass accuracy 14 v 25.
- Kacper Potulski Mainz 05Shots 79 v 81 and aerials won 99 v 87.
- Andrea Carboni MonzaTouches in the box 90 v 86 and pass accuracy 14 v 12.
Key strengths, areas for development and similar players
Key strengths
Strong in the air. Aerials won 5.16 per 90, top 1% of centre-backs.
Set-piece presence. Touches in the box 1.84 per 90 (top 10%) and shots 0.92 (79th percentile).
Tackles. Tackles 1.84 per 90, 70th percentile.
Areas for development
Loose passing. Pass accuracy 83.0%, 14th percentile.
Few interceptions. Interceptions 0.74 (14th percentile) and recoveries 2.77 (15th percentile) per 90.
Little forward passing. Passes into the final third 4.24 per 90, 27th percentile.
Similar players
- Charlie Cresswell RennesAerials won 99 v 98 and pass accuracy 14 v 25.
- Kacper Potulski Mainz 05Shots 79 v 81 and aerials won 99 v 87.
- Andrea Carboni MonzaTouches in the box 90 v 86 and pass accuracy 14 v 12.
Against 279 centre-backs
Against the rest
How to read it. Each number is a percentile: the share of centre-backs with 450+ minutes this player beats on that measure. 90 means better than 90 out of every 100; 50 is the middle.80+ top fifth50 to 79 above the middleunder 50 below the middle
Top fifth in 2 of 15 measures.
Touches, shots and positions
On the pitch
Busiest in the own third, left (18%), average spot left half-space, middle third. Hover or tap a zone.
Own thirdMiddle thirdFinal third
Own third 50%, Middle third 44%, Final third 5%
Brighter means more touches. The dot is the average spot. Attacking to the right.
By competition
The season
| Competition | Apps | Min | Goals | Assists | xG | npxG | xA | Shots | Key passes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 5 | 450 | 0 | 0 | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.16 | 5 | 2 | 6.77 |
| Europa League | 1 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 6.52 |
6 games
