If Sunderland are to build on their impressive return to the Premier League and repeat the success of last season, Regis Le Bris will need to find solutions to a number of challenges over the coming months.
The Black Cats’ qualification for the Europa League last campaign exceeded expectations following their long spell outside the Premier League. However, competing in Europe alongside domestic football was always likely to place additional demands on Le Bris’ squad.
With the 2026/27 season still in its early stages, Sunderland are already experiencing the impact of a busy schedule, with injuries beginning to test the depth of their squad.
Brobbey injury could be a major setback for Sunderland
Sunderland have collected just one victory from their opening five Premier League matches, but Brian Brobbey has emerged as one of the team’s most influential players.
The Dutch striker has started every league game so far and currently leads Sunderland’s scoring charts.
Brobbey underlined his importance in spectacular fashion before the international break, scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City. His performance highlighted the quality he can provide in the final third and further established him as one of Le Bris’ key attacking options.
There is now concern over his fitness, though, after the 24-year-old was forced off during the Netherlands’ recent meeting with Germany with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.
An extended absence would represent a significant blow to Sunderland, particularly because Brobbey contributes far more than just goals.
His physical presence has been particularly valuable, with the former Ajax forward winning 69% of his aerial duels during the current campaign.
Sunderland’s leading scorers since promotion
| Player | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Brobbey | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Wilson Isidor | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Enzo Le Fée | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Chemsdine Talbi | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Nordi Mukiele | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Habib Diarra | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Eliezer Mayenda | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Daniel Ballard | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Trai Hume | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Brobbey has also won 2.1 fouls per 90 minutes, highlighting how his strength and aggressive style can cause problems for defenders. That figure places him among the top 20% of attackers in Europe.
Who could replace Brobbey?
Wilson Isidor would appear to be the most straightforward replacement if Brobbey is ruled out.
The Haiti international has been used primarily from the bench this season, starting none of Sunderland’s first five league matches. Nevertheless, he has already scored once, finding the net against Fulham.
However, Isidor has yet to reproduce the level of performances that helped Sunderland secure promotion, meaning Le Bris could consider a different solution in attack.
One alternative could be new signing Malick Fofana, who joined Sunderland from Lyon for around £30 million late in the transfer window.
The 21-year-old was recruited to bring additional pace, creativity, and attacking quality to the squad. Although Fofana is naturally more comfortable operating from the left flank, he has previously played in a false-nine role during his time in France.
That could make him an intriguing option if Sunderland need a temporary solution at centre-forward.
Rather than attempting to replicate Brobbey’s physical style, Fofana would offer something completely different. His speed could allow Sunderland to attack the space behind opposing defences and stretch teams in a way that Brobbey’s absence might otherwise prevent.
His numbers from his final season at Lyon also suggest he could be effective in an advanced role.
Fofana averaged 1.1 shots on target per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 last season, a figure that ranked him above 83% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues. His 47% shot-on-target accuracy further demonstrates his ability to test opposing goalkeepers.
Despite being considerably smaller than Brobbey, Fofana has also shown that he can compete physically. He recorded a 54% duel success rate last season, placing him in the top 9% of forwards in France’s top flight.
Fofana could get his big opportunity.
Brobbey’s potential absence would undoubtedly leave Sunderland without one of their most important attacking weapons.
However, the situation could also give Fofana an opportunity to establish himself at the Stadium of Light and demonstrate why Sunderland invested heavily in bringing him to the club.
If Brobbey is sidelined for a significant period, Le Bris will have to decide whether to turn to Isidor or experiment with Fofana in a more central role.
For Fofana, an extended run in the starting XI could provide the perfect opportunity to make his mark in the Premier League.
