Florent Ghisolfi, Sunderland's director of football, had high praise for Dan Ballard after Sunday's derby day win over Newcastle. "I can go to the market for all of them but I cannot find a Ballard," Ghisolfi said. Ballard was one of the Black Cats' key players in their promotion-winning campaign and scored in the final seconds of extra time against Coventry City to seal Sunderland's place in the Championship play-off final.
Florent Ghisolfi, Sunderland's director of football, had high praise for Dan Ballard after Sunday's derby day win over Newcastle.
"I can go to the market for all of them but I cannot find a Ballard," Ghisolfi said. "He is Sunderland - hard work, resilience, talent.
"I can look in Argentina and other markets, but I cannot find a Ballard."
Ballard was one of the Black Cats' key players in their promotion-winning campaign and scored in the final seconds of extra time against Coventry City to seal Sunderland's place in the Championship play-off final.
Despite Regis le Bris assembling a practically new squad for their top-flight return, the 26-year-old has featured in 14 of the opening 16 games, scoring two goals and assisting one.
"He is aggressive, he is decent on the ball and he is certainly one of the big characters on the pitch," said former Manchester United defender Phil Jones on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "I can't say I saw too much of him in the Championship, but maybe because of the players they brought in to play alongside him, Le Bris saw him as a good squad player - but he has had his opportunity and he has taken it."
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Category: General Sports
