Regis Le Bris must start Dan Ballard for Sunderland vs Chelsea after shock Premier League reveal
Dan Ballard has adapted to Premier League football much better than anyone could have expected.
Sunderland travel to face Chelsea this weekend, and it will be their biggest challenge of the season by some distance.
Enzo Maresca’s side have won their last four encounters in all competitions, including a 2-1 victory away to Liverpool and a 5-1 demolition of Ajax in the Champions League.
With that said, a big challenge presents an even bigger opportunity, and it will be one that will require the services of Ballard.
Arsenal aren’t the only set-piece dominant side in the Premier League
Arsenal have had an excellent start to the season, though the Gunners have been tarnished with the reputation of being the modern Stoke City for their approach to set pieces.
However, the same has not been said about Chelsea, who have actually scored the same number of goals from set pieces as their London counterparts.
Both sides have scored eight, excluding penalties, with six of those scored from corners for the Blues.
This is where Ballard comes in.
Since the back end of the last campaign, Ballard has been immense for Sunderland, and his ability to head the ball away is by far his biggest attribute.
Via FotMob, he has won 25 aerial duels in the Premier League this season, having only started three games due to injury.
If Chelsea are to utilise their set pieces, Sunderland need to utilise Ballard’s aerial ability to defend them.
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Sunderland will need to re-think defensive shape
Omar Alderete will miss Sunderland’s clash with Chelsea, and it could force Le Bris into one of two things.
Either Reinildo slots back into the side and Trai Hume goes back into right-back, or the Frenchman goes to a back five.
Should that be the case, Lutsharel Geertruida would likely partner Nordi Mukiele and Ballard in the heart of defence.
That change worked well in the Black Cats’ second-half performance away to Man United a few weeks ago, and Saturday’s game will have a similar theme to it.
Sunderland’s second-half stats vs Man United
- 51 per cent possession
- 0.36 xG
- One big chance
- Four shots
If Sunderland are to get a result, they need to be water-tight at the back, and an extra centre-back could be the key to achieving that.
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