Stefan Schwarz says he hopes Dan Ballard stays at Sunderland amid Arsenal talk | OneFootball

Stefan Schwarz has hailed Sunderland defender Dan Ballard and said he hopes the centre-back stays on Wearside after being asked about a potential move to Arsenal.

The Northern Ireland international has been a standout this season under Regis Le Bris, forming a first-choice pairing with Omar Alderete and scoring against West Ham and Arsenal.

“Dan Ballard to Arsenal? I love him. He is very strong, hardworking and very honest. He takes his football very seriously, and the way he’s worked on his trade at Sunderland he could go on to a bigger stage but I hope that he stays to bring Sunderland to a bigger stage instead,” he said, speaking to BOYLE Sports.

“Sunderland are in a very good situation and if Ballard stays for the next couple of years he can grow as a player and as a person as well. Sometimes you have to be realistic. But Dan Ballard is one of my favourite Sunderland players.”

Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg, who coached Ballard with the 21s, also praised him during punditry at December’s Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light. “He [Ballard] is a special man... He knows how to defend,” said Ljungberg, speaking on Viaplay.

“Every day, he would ask me a question, wanted to get better.”

Source: Sunderland Echo