How important Brian Brobbey is to Sunderland’s attack amid injury concern
How important Brian Brobbey is to Sunderland revealed, writes Adam Bell.
Regis Le Bris’ side have struggled in front of goal so far this season only tallying a total of eight goals so far in the Premier League.
It has been a common theme that the Black Cats have looked toothless in front of goal without their main striker in Brian Brobbey. The 24-year-old has recently just pulled out of the Netherlands national team due to fitness and injury concerns during this international break. This now puts further responsibility on his teammates Wilson Isidor and Timur Tutierov to provide the goals if Brobbey cannot return to action immediately after the break.
On Sunday, the Dutchman proved what his playing style is all about. His physicality and sheer strength shown to bully the Chelsea defence helped win a penalty following a foul from Levi Colwill. However, he was a thorn in the Blues’ side all game before being substituted in the 67th minute for Isidor.
The style of play in which Brobbey utilises through his hold up play helps Sunderland in transition with the defenders often playing long balls into him or passes into feet. This is so he can link-up play and bring the wingers into the game. Currently, he is the joint top goal scorer so far alongside Enzo Le Fee who both have three goals in this campaign. According to FotMob, the striker has accumulated an xG (expected goals) of 4.20 from the eight games he has played so far this season.
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Additionally, he has gathered 41% shots on target percentage from around 17 shots that he has taken. In comparison, Isidor has one goal so far, this Premier League campaign in eight matches - only starting one of them. As per FotMob, the Haitian forward has gathered an xG of around 2.24 from 10 shots completing 30% of them on target. It displays the lack of serial depth that is required in back-up to Brobbey when he has been missing in some games through absence.
In the Europa League, the club have been relying on Tutierov when both fellow strikers have been injured. The 21-year-old has delivered so far with performances in the EFL Carabao Cup as well grabbing two goals in both the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
However, with it being the Ukrainian’s first real stint playing at this level following his League One loan spell at Exeter City, it is a lot to put pressure on him in his initial stages of development. As well as this, there has been a large issue with goals from open play in the league. Brobbey’s instinct in terms of the way he operates is where Sunderland get a lot of joy from if they do score with his movement in and around the box, which was proven with his hat-trick at Man City.
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