Fitness expert criticises UEFA as Sunderland await Brian Brobbey injury verdict | OneFootball

Sunderland are awaiting an update on Brian Brobbey after the striker sustained a suspected hamstring problem 34 minutes into the Netherlands' 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany. The findings will determine any timescale for his return.

According to Mee Met Oranje, fitness specialist Raymond Verheijen believes a hectic start at club and international level has left Brobbey fatigued, and he questioned UEFA’s fixture calendar.

The forward went into the break on the back of a hat-trick in Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat at Manchester City, his first goals of the season. He had hoped to carry that form into games against Germany, Serbia and Greece over a busy fortnight.

Verheijen described Brobbey as highly explosive, likening his build to a sprinter, and said he needed 72 hours to recover from the Manchester City match on 20 September. He argued that hard training on recovery days only deepens existing fatigue.

He also challenged the volume of early-season internationals, noting players can be asked to play again 72 hours later while travelling and switching training methods. In his view, avoiding in-season internationals would prevent club interruptions and reduce those demands.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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