What is Rising Transfers' AI verdict on Dan Ballard?

Ballard makes more clearances than Saliba — 69% more. 68 ball recoveries in 29 games. €20M. You decide. Compared with William Saliba (€20.0M vs anchor). Standout: Aerials Won (Top 1% among Premier League peers). Concern: Chances Missed (Bottom 1%).

How does Dan Ballard compare to William Saliba?

Dan Ballard clearances vs William Saliba (185 clearances in 29 games), but ball recoveries (68 ball recoveries in 29 games). Full comparison uses RT DNA and per-90 data.

What are Dan Ballard's biggest strengths and weaknesses in 2026?

Strength: Aerials Won (Top 1% among Premier League peers). Weakness: Chances Missed (Bottom 1%). Percentiles vs Premier League Defender with enough minutes.

Who are good alternatives or comparisons for Dan Ballard?

Players to consider alongside this verdict: William Saliba. See RT alternatives ranked by DNA similarity and league/value fit.

RisingTransfers

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Sunderland· 2025/2026 · Premier League · FULL

AI Verdict: Dan Ballard

Centre BackNorthern Ireland26y€20.0MFull profile →

Ball-Playing CBAerial

1.38Tkl/90

0.67KP/90

Based on 2,148 min · 2025/2026 · Premier League · FULL

Contrast verdictPremier League peers

Ballard makes more clearances than Saliba — 69% more.

vs William Saliba · Premier League · Same playing style · €20.0M

Ballard wins on

Clearances

7.75/90 · 185 clearances in 29 games

Ballard loses on

Ball Recoveries

2.87/90 · 32th pct · 68 ball recoveries in 29 games

Based on 2,148 min (29 apps) vs anchor 2,075 min · 300 peers in Premier League DEF · Season per-90 · latest DNA row

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RT contrast · data duel

Premier League · same-role pool

7.75/90

Ballard

Clearances

RT edge

4.58/90

Saliba

2.87/90

32th pct

Ballard

Ball Recoveries

gap

4.16/90

Top 24%

Saliba

Extreme Stats

vs Premier League Defenders

Aerials Won

7.67/90Top 1%

Chances Missed

0.31/90Bottom 1%

Shots

1.09/90Top 7%

Big Chances

0.18/90Top 16%

Percentile rank among Premier League defenders (n=669) · Per 90 min · RT Intelligence™

Playing Style Analysis

Ball-Playing CBAerial

A Ball-Playing CB. A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (7.8 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (59% duel success), strong in aerial duels (4.4 aerials won/90) and uses long balls frequently (6.6/90).

RT narrative for Dan Ballard · based on seasonal DNA and league percentiles on this page.

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Ballard makes more clearances than Saliba — 69% more.

Extreme Stats

Playing Style Analysis

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Playing Style Analysis

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