Wolves could sign rock solid EFL star

The Gary O’Neil period at Wolverhampton Wanderers is finished and dusted, in the end.

Hiring a brand new supervisor just some days after, they received off to the proper begin below Vitor Pereira on the weekend, scoring three targets in opposition to Leicester Metropolis to safe simply their third Premier League victory of the season.

Whereas instant ideas might be on the following few league video games, the brand new supervisor will certainly have one eye on the January switch window, particularly as he might bolster his squad by signing a number of gamers.

With this in thoughts, the Outdated Gold have been linked with a few gamers, together with a Championship defender…

Wolves eyeing transfer for Championship defender

Based on stories from late final week, Wolves are pushing to safe a deal for Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard throughout the switch window.

They don’t seem to be alone, nevertheless, as Premier League sides Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion are all exhibiting loads of curiosity within the defender.

Wolves have conceded 40 targets in simply 17 video games this time period within the high flight, which is the worst defensive report within the league, suggesting {that a} new defender or two wouldn’t go amiss within the winter window.

May this see Pereira turning to the Sunderland titan subsequent month as somebody who might assist shore issues up?

Why Dan Ballard can be an excellent signing for Wolves

Ballard got here via the youth academy at Arsenal, happening to make a number of appearances for the U18s and U21s with out ever breaking into the senior setup.

Mortgage spells at Swindon City, Blackpool and Millwall allowed him to realize loads of first-team expertise earlier than he joined Sunderland on a everlasting foundation in the summertime of 2022.

Two and a half years later, Ballard has made 77 appearances for the Black Cats whereas additionally accumulating 26 caps for Northern Eire within the course of.

Hailed as a “pure chief” by Michael O’Neil, the defender has loved a wealthy vein of type not too long ago for his membership, regardless of lacking a number of video games throughout the begin of the season as a result of a knee harm.

He has began the earlier seven Championship video games for Sunderland, who’ve misplaced simply as soon as in that run, conceding seven targets in these video games.

Not solely has Ballard averaged an 89% cross success price within the second tier this time period, however the 25-year-old has additionally received 5.3 whole duels per sport – a hit price of 67% – whereas dropping possession simply six instances per match and making 0.7 tackles every sport.

Spectacular statistics certainly and this defensive solidity has seen Sunderland transfer into the playoff spots, as they at the moment sit in fourth spot, 5 factors behind leaders Sheffield United.

If he can proceed to impress over the approaching weeks, Pereira will certainly be keeping track of him, which might see the Outdated Gold make an strategy as soon as the January window opens.

Given the membership’s defensive struggles, additionally delivery the very best variety of set-piece targets within the division, the defender may very well be a dream first signing for the brand new supervisor.

Maybe it may be one to repair their points on the again and consequently hold them within the division. Time will inform.