BRIAN BROBBEY: AJAX FAN VIEW

With Sunderland sealing the late deal for Brian Brobbey, we spoke to Kabir from We Talk Ajax about our new centre forward...

Firstly, are you surprised to see Brian Brobbey leave Ajax?

No, I am not. The time was ripe for a move for both Ajax and Brobbey. It was quite evident that he has been unhappy and after his mediocre season last year, it was the correct decision for both parties to shake hands and move on. 

Will he be missed by your fans?

As a homegrown player, we naturally want to see him succeed and leave the club through the 'front door', however I don't think he will be missed. He was a promising player in the youth, and he showed promise when he broke into the first team, but he lacks the typical traits that we look for in an Ajax striker, namely footedness and technical prowess. The club is also in a situation where funds are the need of the hour, therefore most if not all fans will likely be happy with his exit, considering the above.

The rumoured fee is €20m, rising to €25m. What are your thoughts on this price?

As mentioned above, the club is quite keen to maximise as much income as possible, therefore we are really chuffed with the fact that we are getting that much, despite his poor season last year and the fact that it is deadline day.

What are his biggest strengths?

Pardon the pun, but his biggest strength is his strength. He is a physical player who likes to use his body and impose himself on defenders. He has a great ability to hold the ball up with his back against the defenders. This allows his teammates to enter the box and be dangerous. 

Weaknesses?

If you think of a typical Ajax player - you think flawless technique and the ability to link up play. Unfortunately this is not he case with Brobbey. He's quite limited in that regard. He often snatches at chances and lacks any real composure. He also, despite his presence, is quite poor at heading the ball.

Do you think he’s good enough to lead the line for a Premier League team?

At this moment in time, I would say he is not quite ready to do so. But it also depends on the type of football the club plays. You never know, maybe the faster pace and physicality of the EPL might suit him and he comes into his own. But at this moment in time, despite glimpses of ability and talent shown, I would say he is far from the finished article.

We were hoping for some depth on the wings. Would he be versatile enough to play wide if required?

I don't think so - he has always played as a number nine and it would be difficult to see him operate on the wing, as a result. 

He’s still only 23, what is his ceiling?

It's a strange one. When he was coming through the youth teams, we all felt he was the next Patrick Kluivert. But it feels like his development has stalled, which is why us Ajax fans were quite surprised that an EPL club has come in for him. He left us a few years ago for Leipzig in the Bundesliga, but came back after six months as he felt out of his depth and homesick. That being said, he definitely has ability. The year before last, he showed that with his G/A record. He needs to be in a team where he is shown love and given the confidence that he is the No1 striker - if so, I think he can provide better returns than he has done recently for Ajax. Whether he can lead the line and score regularly, that remains to be seen. But you are getting someone with the ingredients of a successful player.

How many goals do you reckon he’ll get this season?

I think anywhere between 5-10 goals, and that would be a great return for someone like Brobbey in his first year in the EPL. 

What’s his fitness record like?

Historically quite poor, but that has changed now. He did have many issues in his teens but he has invested quite a bit of time outside of the club to get fitter. He uses his body a lot and therefore does get tackled quite often by defenders but he's a strong lad and I think he will be able to hold his own in the EPL. 

And his attitude?

At this moment in time, there are quite a few stories flying about about how he's not happy at the club and making it known. He's not someone that won't turn up for training or not give his 100% in a match, but he needs to be shown love and be made to felt important in order to shine. 

Apparently he had some off-the-pitch problems last season. Can you tell us anything about what happened there?

He was unfortunately caught in a situation where a well-known gangster from Amsterdam tried to extort €150,000 under false pretenses and escalated threats with arson, explosions, and a shooting of Brobbey’s friend. Brobbey did not pay and kept the matter largely private, while the perpetrator was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Finally, is he good enough to make the difference in a potential relegation fight?

It is hard to say. At this moment in time, the answer would be no. But as mentioned, in a new environment, he could be inspired and raise his level. He has good footballing traits, and if all of these come together, he would well turn out to be a great signing for the club. Only time will tell!