Pereira’s Dream First Signing: Wolves Target Solid EFL Defender

With the Gary O’Neil era at Wolverhampton Wanderers now over, new manager Vitor Pereira got off to a flying start with a 3-0 victory against Leicester City in his debut match. However, Wolves’ defensive woes persist, having conceded 40 goals in just 17 Premier League games this season – the worst record in the league.

As the January transfer window approaches, reports suggest Wolves are eyeing Sunderland center-back Daniel Ballard as a potential reinforcement. The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international has been in excellent form recently, helping Sunderland climb to fourth place in the Championship.

Ballard has started Sunderland’s last seven league matches, during which they’ve lost just once and conceded only seven goals. His performances have been marked by impressive statistics:

• 89% pass success rate
• 5.3 duels won per game (67% success rate)
• Only 6 possessions lost per match
• 0.7 tackles per game

Described as a “natural leader” by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, Ballard could provide the defensive solidity Wolves desperately need. The Molineux club has particularly struggled with set-pieces, conceding a league-high 14 goals from such situations.

While Wolves face competition from other Premier League sides for Ballard’s signature, his acquisition could prove to be a dream first signing for Pereira as he looks to guide the team away from relegation danger. With the January window fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether Wolves can secure this promising defender to shore up their backline.