​Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has expressed his satisfaction with the development and performance of striker Brian Brobbey during his debut season in the Premier League. In a recent conversation with Voetbal International, the 50-year-old French manager highlighted the significant progress the Dutch forward has made since his arrival at the Stadium of Light.

​Adapting to the Premier League

​”Brian needed a few weeks to find his way, having joined so late in the transfer window, which was obviously completely normal,” Le Bris noted. “But since then, he has continued to improve constantly throughout the season.”

​Le Bris, who earned a nomination for the Premier League Manager of the Season award for his transformative work at Sunderland—an honor ultimately claimed by Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta—was particularly impressed by Brobbey’s growth in key areas of his game.

​Earning the Number One Spot

​As the season progressed, Brobbey’s influence on the pitch grew significantly. According to his manager, his ability to act as a target man, his combative spirit, and his physical presence in the penalty area became increasingly evident.

​”His ability to function as a focal point, his combativeness, and his presence in the penalty area became clearer week after week. From the middle of the season onwards, he really secured his place as our first-choice striker,” Le Bris added.

​High Potential for the Future

​Reflecting on the campaign as a whole, which culminated in Sunderland securing a historic qualification for European football, Le Bris remains optimistic about Brobbey’s trajectory.

​”All in all, it has been a very positive first season for Brian,” the coach concluded. “It is also encouraging because it shows that there is still a lot of room for further improvement.”

​Brobbey, who made 31 appearances for the Black Cats this season, will now be looking to carry this momentum into his future challenges, including his aspirations with the Dutch national team.