AliousLe Bris Could Have Sunderland’s Next Asamoah Gyan in Brian Brobbey “Goal Machine”
Sunderland returned to the Premier League this season with a statement-making summer that caught the attention of the entire league. Supported by ambitious ownership, the Black Cats spent £141.5 million on transfers—a figure just shy of Nottingham Forest’s record spend for a newly promoted side in 2022—signalling clear intentions to not merely survive, but compete.
Key signings included Habib Diarra from Strasbourg to add energy in midfield, Simon Adingra from Brighton, and Belgian talents Chemsidine Talbi and Noah Sadiki. The standout acquisitions, however, were Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen and Nordi Mukiele from PSG, both bringing Champions League experience and leadership to a youthful squad.
The early results were promising. A raucous Stadium of Light welcomed the team with a 3-0 demolition of West Ham on opening day. Though a 2-0 defeat at Burnley followed, Régis Le Bris’ side quickly bounced back with a last-gasp Wilson Isidor winner over Brentford and a disciplined 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. Next up, Sunderland host Aston Villa, and excitement among the fanbase is palpable, with memories of one historic figure looming large.
**Asamoah Gyan – Sunderland’s Premier League Icon**
When Sunderland signed Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan from Stade Rennais in 2010 for a then-club record £13 million, he was already a proven talent in Ligue 1 and on the international stage with the Black Stars. Gyan made an instant impact, scoring on his debut against Wigan and thrilling fans with moments like the 3-0 win at Chelsea and a last-minute equalizer in the Tyne-Wear derby. Though his stay was brief—11 goals in 37 appearances before a move to Al-Ain—Gyan remains a symbol of what a talismanic striker can achieve: lifting the team, energizing fans, and turning matches on their head.
**Brian Brobbey – Sunderland’s Modern-Day Gyan?**
Enter Brian Brobbey. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joined Sunderland from Ajax in a deal reportedly worth up to £21 million. A two-time Eredivisie winner, Brobbey comes with a proven record of 56 goals and 24 assists in 163 appearances, along with eight international caps for the Netherlands. Talented, hungry, and dubbed a “natural born killer” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Brobbey was brought in not only as a replacement after Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu but as a forward to spearhead Sunderland’s attack for years to come.
Brobbey’s stats underline his potential: he ranks in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty expected goals (0.61 per 90), 94th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.53 per 90), and 99th percentile for assists (0.50 per 90). He adds physical presence, aerial dominance, and relentless pressing—qualities that make him both a threat and a leader on the pitch. Stylistically, he has been compared to players like Nick Woltemade, Marcus Thuram, and Nicolas Jackson, all forwards blending power with mobility.
Yet for Sunderland fans, the exciting parallel remains with Gyan. Brobbey’s intelligent movement in the box, link-up play, and ability to score crucial goals evoke memories of the Ghanaian striker. If he can replicate even half of Gyan’s impact, he could become a cult hero at the Stadium of Light. And unlike Gyan, who left after a single season, Sunderland will hope Brobbey stays long enough to carve out his own legacy—perhaps becoming the modern talisman the club has been seeking.
Sunderland may just have found their next “goal machine.”
Alious
