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

Brian Brobbey has been recalled by the Netherlands, with Ronald Koeman praising the Sunderland striker’s improved fitness since his summer move.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 24-year-old’s club form, including a match-winning turn in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle United, helped sway the decision.

After a deadline day switch from boyhood club Ajax, Brobbey started slowly for Regis Le Bris, often watching on in the early weeks. As his sharpness returned, his minutes rose. Since the 3-0 defeat by Manchester City on 6 December, he has started all but two Premier League matches.

A groin issue sidelined him for consecutive games against Bournemouth and Leeds United in late February and early March. Koeman regards his greater durability and ability to handle Premier League intensity as central to the recall, noting he initially played little but has earned his spot, and he is keen to see him in a match.

Brobbey has eight senior caps and one international goal, and has not featured since a cameo in a UEFA Nations League meeting with Spain around this time last year.

Le Bris said this week’s training showed Brobbey at another level, increasingly in tune with his own game and his team-mates. The head coach added that the striker arrived short of peak fitness and needed time to reach a competitive level in a demanding league.

Source: Sunderland Echo