Koeman hails ‘much fitter’ Brian Brobbey as Sunderland form earns Netherlands recall | OneFootball

Brian Brobbey has been recalled to the Netherlands squad after a surge in form for Sunderland, with Ronald Koeman praising the striker’s improved fitness following his match-winning turn in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle United.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Netherlands head coach said Brobbey is now much fitter, has adapted to Premier League intensity and that he wants to see him in action. He added the move has worked well, noting Brobbey played little at first but earned his place.

The 24-year-old joined from boyhood club Ajax on deadline day last summer and initially featured sparingly. As his sharpness improved, his minutes grew. Since Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on 6 December, he has started all but two Premier League fixtures.

A groin issue sidelined him for consecutive games against Bournemouth and Leeds United in late February and early March. Koeman indicated that this recent robustness, aside from that spell, helped convince him to bring the forward back into his squad.

Brobbey has eight senior caps and one international goal, and he has not played for the Netherlands since a Nations League cameo against Spain a year ago.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said after Sunday’s win that Brobbey trained at another level this week, is increasingly connected with his own performance and team-mates, and needed time to meet the league’s physical demands.

Source: Sunderland Echo