Daniel Ballard has explained why he chose a move to newly-promoted Sunderland over a switch to Championship promotion favourites Burnley last summer. The Northern Ireland centre-back was on his way out of Arsenal 12 months ago and had the opportunity to join Vincent Kompany's Clarets, who had just been relegated from the Premier League and were tipped for an immediate return to the top flight - and who went on to prove those those predictions correct as they won the title at a canter.
But while Kompany was keen to bring him to Turf Moor, Ballard instead opted for a move to Sunderland - who began the season looking to re-establish themselves in the second tier after winning promotion from League One via the play-offs - because he believed he could become a more 'pivotal' part of the team on Wearside. "He was very complimentary," Ballard said of Kompany, in an interview with The Athletic.
"He said it was one of the positions he wanted to nail down and he felt I could perform what he wanted to do on the ball. Burnley had just come down from the Premier League and Sunderland had just come up from League One but felt I could play more of a pivotal role at Sunderland.
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"Burnley have had a great season getting promotion but I feel that I'm a big part of the [Sunderland] team."
The 23-year-old joined when Alex Neil was head coach, although the Scot left at the end of August to take over at Stoke City and was replaced by Tony Mowbray, who has an excellent reputation for developing young talent. Ballard said of Mowbray: "His man-management is his big strength.
"We all feel like he's backing us and he gives us that confidence to play freely. The football we played is really good to watch. He knows we've got great young technical players and he plays to our strengths."
In the end, Sunderland far outperformed their early aims as they finished sixth and secured a play-off spot, where they lost out over two legs in the semi-finals against Luton Town who went on to win promotion. Ballard said: "Last year maybe surprised us, as the play-offs wasn't probably in our plans, but the football we played and the talent we have is exciting.
"Hopefully we keep hold of the players we have and add another couple. It's been nice to get some recognition the last few years.
"I feel like a very good Championship player when I'm fit but hopefully we have a great season and can reach the Premier League."
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