Regis Le Bris handed Brian Brobbey warning after shock Sunderland swoop
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Credit: Imago, Getty
Edward Bazeley
Tue 2 September 2025 12:59, UK
Brian Brobbey could struggle to adjust to the Premier League after joining Sunderland from Dutch giants Ajax.
As they vie to achieve Premier League survival, Sunderland signed Bertrand Traore, Brobbey, and Lutsharel Geertruida on transfer deadline day on Monday, 1 September.
The Mackems had already enjoyed a busy summer of recruitment, acquiring players like former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka and ex-PSG defender Nordi Mukiele.
Meanwhile, Sunderland beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday, 30 August, to claim their second Premier League win in three attempts.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
The fact that Regis Le Bris completed three signings on transfer deadline day further epitomises the Stadium of Light outfit’s determination to stay in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, recent Sunderland acquisition Geertruida proved his quality by making 35 appearances for RB Leipzig last season.
But the North East side have been warned that Brobbey may not hit the ground running in the Premier League.
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Taking to X on Tuesday, 2 September, European football expert Kevin Hatchard wrote: “Brobbey and Geertruida are really interesting pickups for SAFC.
“Wasn’t that long ago that Geertruida was being linked to Liverpool, after winning trophies with (Arne) Slot.
“Brobbey a risk, but has potential.
Has scored goals in the Nethlerlands, but unproven elsewhere.”
Football Insider verdict
Hatchard is right to outline that striker Brobbey is unproven outside of the Netherlands, albeit he has performed well for Ajax over the years.
Sunderland resultsPremier League 2025/26West Ham (H)3-0 WBurnley (A)2-0 LBrentford (H)2-1 WSunderland have started the Premier League season well
The 23-year-old was particularly successful in the 2023/24 season, scoring 22 goals and producing nine assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Netherlands international failed to score while on loan with German side RB Leipzig in 2021/22, and must avoid a similar fate in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Brobbey could initially struggle for game time at the Stadium of Light because both Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor have already scored in the top flight.
But Le Bris has enjoyed a largely successful transfer window, with signings like Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, and Chemsdine Talbi already contributing towards Premier League victories.
The Black Cats have already given themselves a strong platform by earning six points, which could go a long way in their survival battle.
Meanwhile, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has called on the PGMOL to clamp down following the behaviour of Sunderland players against Brentford in a Mackem News exclusive.