Brian Brobbey’s Sunderland turnaround sparks Dutch backtracking

Brian Brobbey’s resurgence at Sunderland is forcing some dramatic backtracking in the Netherlands, with pundits now lavishly praising a player many had written off just months ago. According to Soccer News, figures such as Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp have performed a complete U-turn on their assessment of the Dutch striker, openly admitting on Vandaag Inside that they misjudged his move — and his ability.

Brobbey joined Sunderland late in the summer window for €20 million plus €5m in potential add-ons, a fee that raised eyebrows across Dutch media. He had endured a difficult final season at Ajax, registering just seven goals and six assists across 44 matches — numbers widely considered poor for a striker tipped to become one of the Eredivisie’s next big exports.

But under Régis Le Bris at Sunderland, Brobbey has rediscovered sharpness, confidence and purpose. And in the Netherlands, opinions are shifting quickly.

Van der Gijp and Derksen both praised Brobbey’s impact this week, noting his development, improved movement and effectiveness in the Premier League — a league where many expected him to struggle physically and tactically.

In fact, Derksen admitted that staying in the Netherlands would have been the worst thing for the striker, saying Brobbey “would’ve been a loser here” had he remained at Ajax. The message was clear: the Premier League challenge has brought out a version of Brobbey Dutch football had not seen for some time.

Their shift in tone underlines just how much Brobbey’s early-season form has caught Dutch commentators off guard.

Sunderland knew they were taking a calculated risk. Brobbey arrived needing a fresh start, a new environment and a coach who believed in his physical qualities. Le Bris has given him all three, offering a clear role and minutes in a system that suits his strengths.

So far in the 2025/26 Premier League season, Brobbey has:

Those numbers show a player who is being used strategically — and delivering efficiently. His output per minute is strong, and his presence gives Sunderland a direct focal point they’ve lacked.

Although some may argue the sample size is small, it’s worth noting that Brobbey’s improvements are not just statistical. His decision-making, hold-up play and confidence in duels look sharper than at any point during his Ajax spell.

Brobbey’s revival supports a broader truth about young strikers: development is rarely linear. In the Eredivisie, where expectations and scrutiny weighed heavily on him, Brobbey often played tight, reactive football. England’s pace suits him better — he plays on instinct, presses aggressively, strong (hold-up play's) on and off the ball and thrives in transitions.

From our experience assessing Eredivisie-to-Premier League transitions, the players who succeed are those with physical tools and confidence to attack space. Brobbey has both, and Sunderland’s environment is allowing him to grow without the suffocating pressure he faced at Ajax.

The Dutch backtracking isn’t embarrassment — it’s recognition that Brobbey needed exactly this type of move to unlock his potential.

Brobbey now has a platform and a manager who trusts him. If his minutes and influence continue to grow, Sunderland’s €20m gamble could soon look like one of the best-value deals of their season.

👉 Can Brobbey become Sunderland’s long-term No.9 — or is this purple patch temporary?