Brian Brobbey’s first season in the Premier League has Sunderland fans and Premier League defenders taking notice.
It was the first time in a long time that I felt like our club had that ‘cult hero’ striker. Of course, I’ve loved the popularity of Rosco in recent times, but it feels different in the Premier League, doesn’t it?
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It doesn’t hurt to think that if we were sitting with Marc Guiu – and in my opinion we are looking at relegation from Europe – Liam Delap would not have been injured. Thanks for that, mate.
For some context, I was six when Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips left the Lads, so for me growing up, our strikers were always critically acclaimed – Golden Boot winners, many ‘cult heroes’, whether that was based on skill or character.
The four that always come to my mind are Djibril Cissé, Asamoah Gyan, Ji Dong-won (just for a second!), and Jermain Defoe.
As a child, I loved goal scorers and the excitement they brought, but my reason for loving them was very simple. I would say it was Cissé’s goal in the derby that made me love him when really it was his dyed green mohawk. Gyan came in as a record signing not long after and reached double figures in goals, but it’s the celebrations that I remember.
Ji, as I say, was one minute against City. I was falling in the stands with my brother and my grandfather – and I think he almost took us out a minute earlier! I’m still not sure of the reaction to that goal being scored until the 121st minute on May 13th.
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Defoe felt a class above at times, with incredible goals, but his personal involvement with the fans is a big part of why I remember him fondly.
Sometimes I know I look at these players in red and white specs – they were undoubtedly good, but at those times I wouldn’t trade them for another striker.
Last year, I felt almost like a child in the way I celebrated Brobbey. His goals were some of the most important this season, for sure, but the exploitation of defenders, James Tarkowski, Ruben Dias, Gabriel and at least half of all defenders playing in the league.
On this occasion, I can be sure that I am not alone when I say that I will not replace Brobbey for another striker in our league or any other, for that matter, and the Netherlands vs Sweden on Saturday confirmed that.
A brace within seventeen minutes on the biggest stage.
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Pundits talking about his performance, energy and finishing after the game, with fans from all over the world talking on social media, they are really shocked by his ability. I’m not ashamed to say that it was less than an hour after the full-time whistle when I went online to order a Netherlands home shirt with ‘Brobbey 19’ on the back.
Seven goals in his first Premier League season and half of the Europa League qualifying squad – I’m not over that either. He is a truly unique player and it is no exaggeration when I say he is the best in the world his game.
What I’m trying to say is that Brobbey outgrew Sunderland’s ‘cult hero’ tag very quickly.
Now he is getting worldwide recognition for his ability and I hope he continues to do his thing with the national team, but is there anyone else who will be on the move until the transfer window closes?
