'Can't get my head around' - Rafael van der Vaart backs Sunderland star for unexpected World Cup role

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has been backed as a potential option for the Netherlands heading into next summer’s World Cup by former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

The Black Cats striker has eight senior Dutch caps to his name, scoring one goal in the process. He hasn’t featured in national boss Ronald Koeman’s plans since March, however, failing to receive a call up in any of the past four international breaks.

At club level, a dip in form for Ajax did little to aid Brobbey’s chances of playing his way back into contention for the Netherlands, while he has been used frugally by Regis Le Bris during his first few months on Wearside as the head coach looks to allow him the time to build his way back towards full match fitness.

In recent weeks, though, Brobbey has proven to be a highly impactful figure for Sunderland. Against Chelsea last month, he came off the bench to provide a vital assist for Chemsdine Talbi’s winner at Stamford Bridge, and then against Arsenal last weekend, scored his first goal in red and white with an acrobatic stoppage time volley to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.

What has Rafael van der Vaart said about Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey?

And as Brobbey continues to make his mark in the Premier League, Van der Vaart has argued that he could yet prove to be a decent option for the Netherlands ahead of next summer’s World Cup in North America.

Assessing the Dutch national team’s current roster of attacking talent in a column for De Telegraaf, as quoted by Sport Witness, Van der Vaart said: “Memphis Depay will also have to stay fit, but he keeps scoring. [Cody] Gakpo is also delivering, and on the other wing, I’m happy with Donyell Malen. You can always throw [Wout] Weghorst in if you really have to.

“But if Brobbey gets through at Sunderland – he’s been important to that team recently – then he’s not a bad option as an extra striker at the World Cup. I can’t get my head around that match against Germany [a 2-2 draw last September in which Brobbey provided an assist]. How well he played against such strong defenders back then was bizarre. It didn’t work out at Ajax but now look at what he’s doing at Sunderland. And just try playing against him as a defender. Not one of them enjoys being man-marked by him.”

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While public opinion on Brobbey did seem to wane during the latter period of his time with Ajax, Van der Vaart himself has always been an advocate for the Sunderland forward’s merits. Speaking back in January, when the 23-year-old was being linked with a potential move to West Ham, he said: “I believe in this guy so much, but somehow it just doesn’t work out. I don’t know why. But if someone pays that amount [ a fee of around €35m was quoted at the time] and he can go to West Ham, then I would let him go immediately. But I’ll tell you, if he goes there, he will be a sensation. Trust me, 100%.”

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