Can Brian Brobbey become the Netherlands’ long-term number nine at the World Cup? | OneFootball

Brian Brobbey’s brace in the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden has put the Sunderland forward in contention to lead the line. With his game broadened, he could yet be a reliable World Cup number nine.

It followed a 2-2 draw with Japan, and he started ahead of Donyell Malen and Memphis Depay, impressing back to goal, in space and with his finishing. According to L'Équipe, Ronald Koeman has greater attacking variety than Louis van Gaal did in 2022, when Cody Gakpo starred as Depay chased fitness. Depay is the Netherlands’ record scorer with 55 and is still short of rhythm.

Unselected in qualifying, Brobbey returned in March. Now 24, he has 14 caps and three goals, his recall fuelled by a convincing first Premier League season under Régis Le Bris at Sunderland with seven goals and one assist.

Ajax-schooled, he left for RB Leipzig on a free at 19, then was sold back in 2022 for €16m. After a less prolific campaign for Francesco Farioli, he joined Sunderland late in 2025 for €20m, having improved markedly without the ball.

A reset in diet, conditioning and mindset underpinned an acrobatic equaliser against Arsenal in a 2-2 draw on eight November. In January, Thierry Henry highlighted his old-school hold-up work. Established as Sunderland’s reference number nine from mid-season, he appears to have room to grow, with a possible last-16 meeting with Brazil or Morocco ahead.

Source: L'Équipe