Sunderland's Brian Brobbey whilst with the Dutch squad
Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey whilst with the Dutch squad
Brian Brobbey may have walked off from the Netherlands 1-1 draw with Ecuador with mixed emotions, but one thing was clear, the Sunderland striker is ready for a big summer. And he’s receiving elite guidance to get there.
Voetbal Primeur report comments from the 24-year-old today, in which he admits he’s fighting to head to the World Cup.
Striker making efforts to improve
He’s already been working with a special coach to become a better striker, and now it seems he’s turned to one of the best for extra help. NOS report the Sunderland man has ‘received some valuable tips’ from Ruud van Nistelrooy behind the scenes.
“I just have to keep doing my best at my club (Sunderland),” Brobbey said. “I need to be involved in goals and in the game as well. Then it should all work out.”
Unfortunately for Brobbey, he was unable to make an impact against the South American side as the Dutch battled with 10 men.
It was a tough evening for him, but he knows where he needs to improve, nonetheless.
“I was isolated waiting for those balls,” he added.
“Those are the moments (a chance from Quinten Timber) that I need to be ready for when we are down to ten men.”
Analyst defence of Sunderland player
Brian Brobbey’s impressive performances for Sunderland have led to a change in tone about him in his homeland.
He’s gone from derided at Ajax to loved at Sunderland, who have been credited with turning his career around. Now, one of the pundits who once questioned him has jumped to his defence.
Hans Kraay Junior was watching the game and felt the Sunderland man could do little to impress on his audition.
“If this is your exam match, to see who should replace Depay… seriously,” he said.
“First the Netherlands played 4-4-1 and then 5-3-1. In the full eighty minutes that they were down to ten men, he stood completely alone against two destroyers.
“As Koeman, you can’t say anything at all about this performance by Brobbey.”
Good news
That will come as good news for Brian Brobbey, whose performances at Sunderland have put him on course for the World Cup.
With Van Nistelrooy’s guidance, more Premier League minutes under his belt and public backing in the Netherlands, that trajectory remains firmly on track. Even if his latest test came under conditions any striker would struggle in.