Sunderland will be hoping against hope that Granit Xhaka stays at the Stadium of Light next season, but perhaps there is hope in that now that Chelsea have turned their eye elsewhere.
The Premier League proved to be a happy hunting ground for Regis Le Bris’s side last season, with a win over Chelsea in the last game of the season giving them a place in the Europa League.
Considering that there have been a few negative rumors that have surfaced during the spring season that suggests that Le Bris’ place in the dugout may be uncertain. This man has lost hope and is now rising to the top.
There are issues to be sorted out before the new Premier League season, however, is still a month away. In attack, they need to be sharp, more fluid. Fortunately, Brian Brobbey returns to Wearside after a brilliant World Cup campaign.
How Sunderland can benefit from Brobbey’s World Cup campaign
Brobbey has been a revelation for Sunderland since joining them from Ajax for £21m last summer.
Although the 24-year-old scored just seven goals in the Premier League last season, he was described as a “freight train on the run” by journalist Antonio Mango, and was the main man in last year’s successful Sunderland side.
The way he played was so impressive that the Netherlands decided to represent their program with him in the World Cup. It ended up being a subdued effort from Oranje, but Brobbey’s stock rose.
He was not only growing but also in the clinic. His shots are struck cleanly, with power and precision, and it will not be lost on Le Bris at home that the physical striker’s goal threat is not what defines his ability.
His link-up play and ability to get past defenders through his body and presence cannot be understated, but now we are seeing a spark of a goal-scoring talisman that could ensure Sunderland achieve something else next year, rather than suffering the dreaded second-season blight.
|
Brian Brobbey at the 2026 World Cup |
|
|---|---|
|
Math (* in 90) |
# |
|
The same (begins) |
4 (3) |
|
Goals |
3 |
|
It helps |
0 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
1.0 (0.8) |
|
Accurate passes* |
4.8 (86%) |
|
Opportunities created* |
1.3 |
|
Success. dribble* |
0.0 |
|
Football recovery* |
0.5 |
|
Def. donations* |
1.1 |
|
Duels won* |
2.0 |
Sunderland may not be a major force in the Premier League, but there is a dynamic approach to the game that Le Bris has used to drive his team forward.
If Brobbey can take his World Cup form back to the Stadium of Light, they could raise the bar on that, however, especially if the decision-makers bring in the right partner this summer.
Sunderland are in talks to sign Brobbey’s dream partner
So far this summer, Sunderland have only signed Thomas Meunier, keeping the Belgian defender after his contract with French side Lille expired.
Waiting for offensive reinforcements continues. But the wait could be worth it, as TEAMtalk reports that Sunderland have added Bodø/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge to their shortlist, challenging Everton for the powerful striker.
It would take £30m to prize the 26-year-old away from the Norwegian, and while Everton are pushing, Sunderland have also heard from their representatives and are keen to complete a move.
Hauge is a left-sided striker who announced his breakthrough last season in the Champions League, enjoying a heart-warming performance against Manchester City, scoring and winning 13 duels in a 3-1 win.
Hauge is a powerful striker, but he will also match Brobbey in imposing physicality and strength over the Le Bris front line.
Former Tottenham manager Thomas Frank hailed him as a “special” talent after his Champions League performances, and a total of six goals in Europe last year underlined his potential as a star in the Le Bris set-up.
He completed 2.4 dribbles and won 5.6 duels per game in the Champions League last season, and will feed off the meaty edge Brobbey provides. It sounds very Sunderland code, but Everton’s strength will also match Hauge’s, so there is no time to waste.
Sunderland’s midfield was lacking in front of goal last season. Hauge will change that, and alongside Brobbey, he could be a star both at home and abroad on the continent.
