Brian Brobbey revival complete as Dutch pundits back World Cup call

Brian Brobbey’s reputation has undergone a dramatic revival, with Dutch pundits now hailing the Sunderland striker as one of the country’s brightest attacking talents after a season that has flipped the narrative entirely.

Once ridiculed in the Netherlands following a difficult spell at Ajax, Brobbey is now being talked up as a potential World Cup option after finding form and confidence at the Stadium of Light.

Brobbey’s €20m move to Sunderland last summer was met with widespread scepticism back home. His struggles at Ajax had become a running theme in Dutch media, and many questioned why Sunderland were willing to invest so heavily.

After rejoining Ajax in 2022, Brobbey initially showed promise but faded as the club’s wider problems deepened. His confidence dipped, criticism mounted, and he became a regular punchline among pundits.

That backdrop makes the current turnaround all the more striking.

Brobbey has played a meaningful part in Sunderland’s Premier League campaign, contributing five goals and one assist across 18 league appearances. While those numbers are not explosive, his overall impact — physical presence, link-up play and reliability — has been widely praised.

Having followed Sunderland’s progress closely this season, Brobbey’s role has evolved beyond goals alone. He has offered structure to the attack and a focal point that allows others to thrive.

That consistency has not gone unnoticed in the Netherlands.

The latest reassessment comes from Voetbal Primeur and pundit René van der Gijp, who now believes Brobbey should be part of the Netherlands’ World Cup plans.

“He’s our most talented youngster,” Van der Gijp said. “That’s because we don’t know that Strasbourg boy very well, Emmanuel Emegha. He’s going to Chelsea. I think you absolutely have to take Brobbey with you if Memphis can’t play.”

The praise marks a stark contrast to the tone that followed Brobbey during his final months in Amsterdam.

Brobbey has been part of the Netherlands setup since making his senior debut in 2023, but his international momentum stalled earlier this year. His last appearance came in March during a UEFA Nations League defeat to Spain, and he did not feature at all during the World Cup qualification campaign.

Now, his Sunderland form has reopened the conversation — though selection will ultimately rest with Ronald Koeman, who is known for trusting experience as much as form.

It remains too early to draw firm conclusions, but Brobbey has undeniably forced himself back into the discussion.

For Brobbey, the move to Sunderland has provided something he lacked in Amsterdam: patience and trust. Away from relentless scrutiny, his game has stabilised, and the confidence that once defined his early career has returned.

The irony is not lost on Dutch observers — the same voices that once mocked his transfer fee are now calling for his inclusion on the biggest stage.

Brobbey’s immediate focus remains finishing the season strongly with Sunderland. Continued consistency would strengthen his World Cup case, but competition for attacking places remains fierce. Koeman’s final decisions are still months away, and form over the closing stretch of the campaign could prove decisive.

Has Brian Brobbey done enough at Sunderland to deserve a World Cup recall — or is this praise coming too soon?