Brian Brobbey scored a hat-trick for Sunderland at the Etihad on 20 September, and although Manchester City won 5-3, those three goals have landed him in a position few expected a month ago: the favourite to start up front for the Netherlands against Germany on Thursday night.
What is confirmed
The hat-trick is the solid part. LBC, Sofascore and VAVEL all record Brobbey scoring three times in a game City edged 5-3, and Sofascore and VAVEL both note he became the first Sunderland player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Jermain Defoe in 2016. VAVEL adds that these were his first goals of the season, which says something about how quickly a striker’s standing can turn.
It was not a lucky afternoon for a side that was simply outclassed, either. Sofascore’s numbers had Sunderland creating the better chances overall, which is the uncomfortable detail for them: they scored three at the champions’ ground and still left with nothing.
He is also in the squad. Xavi Hernández named his first Netherlands selection this month, and Brobbey is in it, while Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst were left out.
Why it matters for Oranje
Donyell Malen, who looked the natural choice to lead the line, has pulled out of the international window. FCUpdate and VoetbalPrimeur both expect Brobbey to start in his place when the Netherlands host Germany in the Nations League at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on 24 September. It is Xavi’s first official match in charge, so the choice of striker says a lot about how he means to set the side up.
For Brobbey, the timing is close to perfect. A striker who had not scored all season now arrives with the most eye-catching Premier League performance of the weekend behind him.
What is still unclear
The Dutch line-up had not been confirmed when this was written, and the expected eleven comes from media reports rather than from the Dutch federation. Brobbey is the likely starter, not a certain one.
Away from the pitch, he told De Telegraaf that he is still in close contact with former Ajax teammates and hopes his friend Owen Wijndal wins back his starting place there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Brian Brobbey score a hat-trick against Manchester City?
Yes. Brobbey scored three goals for Sunderland at the Etihad on 20 September 2026, although Manchester City won the match 5-3.
Is Brian Brobbey starting for the Netherlands against Germany?
He is expected to. Dutch media tipped Brobbey to start up front after Donyell Malen withdrew, but the line-up had not been officially confirmed.
Sources
- Brian Brobbey hat-trick cannot save Sunderland as Antoine Semenyo sends Man City three points clear in 5-3 thriller — LBC
- Man City 5-3 Sunderland: Brobbey hat-trick in high xG thriller — Sofascore
- Premier League Player of the Week: Brian Brobbey strikes thrice in thriller — VAVEL
- Brobbey: ‘De grappenmaker, ik hoop dat hij zijn basisplaats terugkrijgt bij Ajax’ — VoetbalPrimeur
- Eerste Oranje-selectie Xavi: Van Bommel en Zechiël debuteren — OnsOranje
- Vermoedelijke opstelling Oranje: Veerman vervangt Frenkie tegen Duitsland — FCUpdate.nl
- Vermoedelijke opstelling Oranje tegen Duitsland in Nations League — VoetbalPrimeur
- Dit is de Oranje-selectie van Xavi: Van Bommel en Zechiël, geen Memphis — Voetbal International