Sunderland are decided to make it one other profitable season beneath Regis Le Bris, however within the brief time period, the French coach has been annoyed by accidents to key personnel in the course of the worldwide break.
Dan Ballard is a brute of a centre-half, however there is not any assure that he shall be match for the return to Premier League motion after selecting up a hamstring harm with Northern Eire.
Likewise, Brian Brobbey‘s muscular problem sustained towards Germany final week could have all of Wearside sweating. The in-form striker is irreplaceable up high for the Black Cats, who lack the alternate options within the last third to keep up the identical outcomes.
Why Brobbey is irreplaceable for Sunderland
Final season, Brobbey was the person for Sunderland. He might need solely scored seven occasions within the Premier League after becoming a member of from Ajax the earlier summer time, however the Dutchman was a pressure to be reckoned with within the last third, so vital for Le Bris’ system.
He seems to have raised his recreation. A hat-trick towards Manchester Metropolis earlier than the worldwide emphasises precisely why there’s a lot hype across the 24-year-old.
|
Brian Brobbey vs Man Metropolis |
|
|---|---|
|
Stats |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Targets scored |
3 |
|
Touches |
36 |
|
Pictures (on the right track) |
5 (4) |
|
Correct passes |
15/18 (83%) |
|
Probabilities created |
1 |
|
Dribbles accomplished |
2/2 |
|
Floor duels gained |
6/7 |
|
Aeriaol duels gained |
4/5 |
Hailed for “placing in an absolute masterclass” towards Arsenal the week earlier than by Sky Sports activities presenter Dougie Critchley, there is not any query that Brobbey’s power and physicality units him aside from the remainder. In Wilson Isidor, Sunderland have one other robust striker, however Brobbey is on one other stage.
If he begins scoring with extra consistency, there is not any doubt that the world will begin being attentive to his potential to guide the road for a membership on the very high of the European pyramid.
Brobbey’s hamstring harm, the prognosis nonetheless undetermined, is deeply regarding, although, and Le Bris have to be annoyed that his various choices go away rather a lot to be desired.
Le Bris has a method of enjoying. He is aware of how one can make his system click on, and Brobbey and Isidor are the prototypical profiles to put at No. 9.
Subsequently, it should not be any nice shock that the decision-makers are taking a look at the same ahead so as to add to the ranks in January.
Sunderland in talks to signal extra medical striker than Brobbey
Brobbey is a high ahead, however he nonetheless hasn’t confirmed himself as a prolific goalscorer. Towards Man Metropolis, he bagged a hat-trick, however he additionally blanked throughout 4 earlier matches within the Premier League.
Le Bris is set to usher in some competitors, and in accordance with TEAMtalk, Sunderland have joined Aston Villa in exploring a transfer for Athletico Paranaense’s Kevin Viveros. He is probably the most prolific strikers in South America and in consequence Athletico aren’t inclined to promote, and have priced their frontman at £35m.
Viveros, 26, has been described as a “beast” and a “monster” of a striker by supervisor Odair Hellmann, who additionally drew consideration to his technical enhancements over the previous couple of seasons. It appears like now could be the time for him to make the leap and check out his hand within the Premier League.
There is definitely one thing Brobbey-esque about him. Not solely did Viveros publish 18 objectives throughout 26 Brasileiro Serie A matches in 2026, ending because the division’s high scorer, however he additionally gained 4.2 duels per recreation, getting caught in and utilizing his meaty body to overwhelm defenders.
Sound acquainted? There is not any query that Viveros has the presence to make an actual distinction within the last third, including one other goalscoring dimension to an outfit whose success is constructed on arduous work, organisation and coherence inside the system – not a lot expansive creativity.
Brobbey placed on a clinic earlier than the break, dismantling Man Metropolis’s costly backline, however Viveros has proven that he’s a extra natural-born finisher. Even throughout Brobbey’s days with Ajax within the Netherlands, he was by no means a lethal goalscorer, scoring seven occasions in 2024/25, albeit much more prolific the 12 months earlier than, with 22 objectives in all competitions.
Since Isidor has did not reveal the sort of constant goalscoring wanted within the Premier League, usually nameless within the last third, Viveros may show the proper improve to problem Brobbey for the star spot on the spearhead.
If his medical capturing in Brazil interprets seamlessly to life within the Premier League on the Stadium of Gentle, there’s each probability that Le Bris may have a brand new talisman for the following few years.
