Ronald Koeman hails fitter Brian Brobbey after Sunderland surge and recalls him to Netherlands squad | OneFootball

Brian Brobbey has been recalled to the Netherlands squad after a strong spell with Sunderland, with Ronald Koeman highlighting clear fitness gains since the striker’s summer move. According to Sunderland Echo, the head coach wants to assess him again at international level.

He delivered a match-winning display in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby success over Newcastle United. His emergence as Regis Le Bris’s preferred centre-forward was gradual after a deadline-day switch from Ajax, with early weeks spent largely on the bench.

As sharpness returned his minutes grew, and since the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on six December he has started all but two Premier League games. A groin issue was the only notable setback, ruling him out against Bournemouth and Leeds United in late February and early March.

Koeman said Brobbey is now far fitter than during his previous call-up while at Ajax, and is adapting well to Premier League intensity. He noted the striker initially played little but earned his place, adding that the division’s level demands constant work to the last second and differs from training in the Netherlands.

Le Bris has also praised Brobbey, saying recent training showed another level and a stronger connection with team-mates after an initial period to reach peak fitness. At the time of writing, Brobbey has eight senior caps and one international goal, and last featured in a UEFA Nations League meeting with Spain this time last year.

Source: Sunderland Echo