Sports
Dan Ballard opens up on love for Arsenal and future at Sunderland
Daniel Ballard has stepped up and beefed up to become a colossus for Sunderland.
And it’s all driven by a surprising inner belief that he isn’t quite good enough at what he does.
Which is surprising to anyone who has seen this immense defender blocking out the light in front of his goal, or powering forwards to score as a standout player in the standout Premier League team this season.
Ballard scored against Arsenal in his most recent game and comfortably carried the weight of expectation along with several team-mates on his shoulders.
No way in the world was he not going to celebrate knocking one in against his old club – a refreshing exception to the modern rule.
Ballard is a folk hero on Wearside and a symbol of the spirit within a club enjoying good times again following promotion back to the Premier League.
He told GiveMeSport: “I was never, as a young man, the most talented player and had to work quite hard to fight for my opportunities.
“And even playing now, I sort of carry that around with me. I have to work hard to fight for everything. But after all the tough bits, I think fans appreciate that, especially in the Premier League.
“It’s perhaps a British style of play – tough and doing the simple things really well. And always fighting for the club you’re playing at.
“You might stop progressing. So it’s just about going into every game, and feeling that nervousness and trying to keep proving to everyone that you know you’re good enough, you’re at the level, and you can help teams.
Arsenal past
“I love Arsenal for everything they’ve done for me, but I suppose I never really had that real connection with the first team.
“It was more sort of the academy and, you know, all the staff and the amazing people that helped me. I never got that real chance in the first team. So I was never not going to celebrate in a stadium like that in such a big game. I was always going to celebrate.
“I’ll just always give 100% and I think fans appreciate that.”
Ballard is a significant figure for Sunderland in many ways, not just for his size. He was the scorer of the play-off semi-final goal that sent his team to Wembley and ultimate victory over Sheffield United to restore Sunderland’s place in the top flight after eight years.
But having been sent to the most testing recesses of the league with loans at Blackpool and Millwall, he was already thinking ahead to how he would cope as a Premier League player with its extra demands.
Hitting the gym
He said: “Last year was a real stop-start season for me. I felt really good the season before, and I was looking to kick on last year but I was a bit hampered. My season was very stop and start.
“I kind of saved the season by getting back fit for the play-offs just in time, and then I did a lot of work this summer.
“I’ve been in the gym a lot, put a little bit more size on this year, because of the physicality of the Premier League
“It helps to feel powerful, feel strong. I put maybe half a kilo on, maybe even more in the end. I seem to be playing well with it. So it’s got to try and maintain that, keep going.
“All my learning experiences helped me, helped me grow as a player. I had a great year at Blackpool. We got promoted there, and then going to Millwall was special in its own way. And that was the first year playing in front of fans after COVID and thankfully, I’ve done really well.
“I managed to sort of get the support of the fans quite early on, and feel like we had a great, great connection while I was there. I really felt the support from them. They helped me in that first year in the Championship.”
Loans at grounds like The Den breed humility. It didn’t do England captain Harry Kane any harm.
Sunderland travel to Fulham this weekend nestled in the top four which is beyond any wildest dream but Ballard will stay grounded.
Born in Stevenage, raised as a Chelsea fan and a dad of two at only 26, he has plenty to keep him occupied. Injury issues from last season have disappeared in a puff of positivity.
He said: “We’ve had a fantastic start as a team. Going up through the play-offs, there’s no better feeling, and it really brings a squad together. We’ve added a lot of new players this summer, and things are going really well.
“There’s always that bit of doubt of you being involved but I’ve managed to get quite a bit of game time in the Premier League this year, so we’re extremely confident.
“There’s a lot of lads that deserve the opportunity to play in the Premier League, but haven’t quite got that chance yet. So there’s a really exciting group.”
Six days on from Mexico’s opening World Cup victory over South Africa, England finally kicked off their tournament with a match against Croatia. It was a thrilling game as Thomas Tuchel’s side came away with a fine 4-2 win.
The Three Lions famously took on and lost to the Croatians in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Out for revenge, Harry Kane was there to deliver it early on. Noni Madueke won a penalty, and the England captain scored from 12 yards – although, having missed his first effort, he was fortunate to get a retake due to encroachment.
Croatia then hit back in the 36th minute, with Martin Baturina blasting home from the edge of the box with a powerful strike. It didn’t take long for Kane to score again, this time heading in a Declan Rice corner to put England ahead. However, before the break, another equaliser came, this time with Petar Musa finishing calmly after a lovely move.
In the second half, Tuchel has clearly got into his men as they came out firing, and scored almost instantly through Jude Bellingham after a powerful run. Bukayo Saka then linked up with fellow substitute Marcus Rashford, who put the cherry on top as he made it 4-2.
Experienced Three Lions Star Struggles vs Croatia
One of the big calls from Tuchel ahead of the game was to go with John Stones and Ezri Konsa in the middle of defence, with Marc Guehi dropped. This was a bold decision and didn’t really pay off as the backline looked shaky throughout.
Despite the Three Lions carrying a great threat whenever going forward, the Croatians were able to stress the English backline without having to do that much. As such, they scored twice in the first half despite not having as much of the ball.
Notably, Stones looked off it. The Manchester City defender hasn’t been able to stay fit this season, playing just twice in the Premier League in 2026 (making just 19 appearances in all competitions across 2025/26). This may explain why he looked rusty on the day.
Although things settled in the second half, with the opposition unable to break forward as frequently, it was not a convincing display for the centre-back. Stones was then hooked in the 87th minute, with Guehi replacing him.
The 32-year-old picked up a poor 6.4 SofaScore rating, having been dribbled past once, giving away one foul, and only managing two defensive contributions.
England Fans Slam John Stones
Despite the win, some England fans seemed worried by Stones’ performance, as many suggested he should be dropped if Tuchel’s team are to have a hope of going all the way at the 2026 World Cup. One wrote:
“John Stones shouldn’t be starting for England.”
Another suggested: This England defence won’t win a World Cup. Guehi has to be in over Stones going forward.”
One more said: “Stones has been shocking.” While another firmly stated:
“John Stones needs to be dropped for the next game. Barely featured for City and he’s completely out of his depth here. Literal jelly legs wobbling about.”
On that theme, another wrote: “John Stones has been a top defender in his time but its been evident for at least a couple of seasons now that he is well past his best. I can see him getting dropped for Guehi in the next game, if Tuchel has any sense, at least.”
A final fan summed up the sentiment, writing: “England’s defence looks disorganised. They conceded two goals far too easily. I do not understand why John Stones was preferred ahead of Maguire and other available options.”
You scored
out of 20
It was a perfect first outing at the 2026 World Cup for England as they beat Croatia 4-2. They’d had to wait six days after the tournament began, but the Group L clash lived up to expectations.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from 12 yards, getting to retake his initially missed penalty, but saw his team pegged back thanks to a fine strike from Martin Baturina in the 36th minute. The England captain hit back with a header from a corner before the break, but there was still time for Petar Musa to make it 2-2 before the half-time whistle blew.
In the second half, the Three Lions really took control of the game, keeping Croatia at arm’s length throughout. They were helped by Jude Bellingham’s effort just two minutes after play resumed, while Marcus Rashford made it 4-2 late on to seal what was an impressive performance for the most part.
One man in particular stood out and has picked up plenty of praise from the England fans.
England Fans Worried ‘Shocking’ Star Will Cost Them World Cup Despite Win vs Croatia
He was way off the pace for the Three Lions.
Three Lions Star Delivers Goods at World Cup
Before the game, there would have been many disappointed to see Arsenal star Bukayo Saka start. However, Tuchel has revealed that the winger is nursing an Achilles injury, so he won’t be fully fit at the start of the World Cup.
As such, Noni Madueke was given the nod. The other Arsenal winger is a fine player on his day, but can often frustrate fans. This was evident with the open goal he missed in the pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica. His efforts on that day left many insisting he should not start this summer.
Tuchel ignored those pleas and was rewarded with an electric performance. Madueke was arguably the most threatening player on the pitch in the first half as he won a penalty for the Three Lions and consistently wreaked havoc on the left wing.
He finished the game with a 7.6 SofaScore rating, only bettered by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. The winger played 72 minutes in total, with two key passes, one big chance created, 0.41 expected assists, and lost the ball just twice with his 26 touches.
England Fans Apologise to Madueke
A number of England fans made it clear they had misjudged Madueke’s quality, as they took to social media to apologise to the winger. One wrote:
“Noni Madueke I owe you an apology. England’s best player.”
Another added: “Madueke I owe you an apology.” One more said:
“Madueke I owe you an apology I wasn’t really familiar with your game.”
Others were really impressed, with one remarking: “Madueke has been the best player for England so far in this game and this same guy everyone keeps saying he doesn’t deserve a spot at the World Cup campaign. Let your apology be louder than your disrespect.”
One more summed up the mood, saying: “I keep telling you guys Noni Madueke is an elite winger.”
England boss Thomas Tuchel appeared to clash with one of his key players over certain tactics during his side’s win over Croatia in the World Cup group stage.
It came during a chaotic first half in Dallas, when the Three Lions took the lead twice through Harry Kane, but were pegged back by Martin Baturina and Petar Musa before the break.
Assistant head coach Anthony Barry revealed his frustrations with the team in a punchy half-time interview with ITV, while whatever was said at the break certainly sprang the side into life for the second half.
There were clear frustrations spilling over at points, which extended to the England head coach, as well as his assistants on the touchline.
Thomas Tuchel And Jordan Pickford Clash
As far as first matches at the World Cup go, Tuchel has been handed one of the more exciting games to pick the bones out of. There will be tweaks ahead, and some consultation with his players no doubt.
One of those who may have a bit more time on the training ground is Jordan Pickford, who seemingly clashed with the manager over his insistence of playing out from the back.
While the ITV cameras didn’t catch it, reports Geoff Shreeves, who was working for FOX Sports in America, claimed that the manager barked instructions at his goalkeeper.
During a break in play in the first half, while the Everton shot-stopper is believed to have fired back some words at the head coach, Tuchel is alleged to have said:
In the end, England persisted with playing out from the back, as goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford secured a 4-2 win with a much-improved second-half display.
It marked the first three points of the campaign for the Three Lions, who take on Ghana next in Boston, before the third and final match against Panama in New Jersey.
You scored
out of 20
Perfect Start For England And Tuchel
England’s topsy-turvy opening game in Texas has helped get the tournament underway for the side after a long wait from the initial start date for the competition.
It provided an ideal start with three points for Tuchel, but it also provided the perfect test for the manager to sink his teeth into international management at the World Cup.
While England could’ve turned up and smashed a minnow, they were tested by a good Croatia side who were able to show some of the strengths and weaknesses with the manager’s approach.
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It was a perfect start, not in display, but in what it provides for the head coach. It gave him three points, some positive displays, but things to work on that should make England better in the latter stages of this tournament.
It remains to be seen just how far the Three Lions can go, but that win over Croatia could be the foundation for a deep run this summer.
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