Former team-mate on Dan Ballard’s rise as Marco Silva lands Benfica role | OneFootball

Marvin Ekpiteta says he did not initially foresee Dan Ballard’s rapid rise, with the Sunderland defender now central to Regis Le Bris’ side that returned to the Premier League and, in their first season back, clinched Europa League football with seventh place.

“Not initially. I don’t think anyone would’ve seen it initially, but as he got more confident and started playing more games, he got better and better. You could start to see there was something in him. One thing I liked about Dan - he was always willing to learn and improve.” He told The Blackpool Gazette.

Ballard’s senior career began with loans at Swindon Town, Millwall and Blackpool from Arsenal, before a permanent Sunderland move in summer 2022. He has since made over 120 appearances for the club.

The centre-back is also a key figure for Northern Ireland, earning his 33rd cap in a 1-0 loss to Slovakia in November last year before injury curtailed his involvement.

Marco Silva achieved a league double over Sunderland last season, winning 1-0 at home in November then 3-1 at the Stadium of Light four months later, as Fulham finished 11th. He was on Tuesday confirmed as Benfica’s new head coach, succeeding Jose Mourinho, who moved a step closer to a Real Madrid return after the La Liga club triggered a clause in his Benfica deal.

Source: Sunderland Echo