Dutch doctor Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband says Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey’s latest setback with the Netherlands is because of overload.
The striker has started all five Premier League matches for Sunderland this season before joining the national team squad.
Last week, new Oranje manager Xavi started him in the 1-1 draw against Germany in the UEFA Nations League. Brobbey was on the pitch for 35 minutes before an injury forced him off.
AZ Alkmaar’s Mexx Meerdink came on to replace the former Ajax man, who missed the Netherlands 2-1 win over Serbia.
Sunderland player’s injury used to make point
Last week, Xavi confirmed the 24-year-old’s setback, forcing him to withdraw from the Netherlands squad.
Besides the Sunderland star, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Paul van Hecke and PSV Eindhoven’s Lutsharel Geertruida have left the national team because of injuries.
Former PSV doctor Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband has been speaking to Sportnieuws.nl to discuss the correlation between fixture congestion and injuries.
The Netherlands and other European nations are taking part in the UEFA Nations League. There are four matches during this international break and the constant travel with club and country also impacts players.
“That has a huge medical impact. Everyone can see that from the large number of injuries, both nationally and internationally. However, I have no illusion that anyone will ever listen. The commercial interests are so incredibly high,” he said.
“I hold my breath. I fear that many more will follow. It is like trying to mop up water with the tap still running, because players simply do not get the rest they need.”
The doctor talked about injured players who had to leave the Netherlands squad and mainly focused on Brian Brobbey.
“Of course, it remains a contact sport. If something happens during a tackle, like with Cody, that’s all part of the game. But if you look at Brobbey, he has a very serious hamstring injury. That’s a typical example of overuse,” Van den Hoogenband explained.
“The Premier League is already so tough with two matches a week, and then they throw in a Nations League period like this with four matches in two weeks. Incomprehensible.”
“In my time as club doctor at PSV, I actually had it very easy. It has really become much tougher.”
| Brian Brobbey — club stats, all competitions | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 so far |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Ajax | Sunderland | Sunderland |
| Appearances | 44 | 32 | 6 |
| Starts | 33 | 22 | 5 |
| Minutes played | 2,326 | 1,967 | 424 |
| Goals | 7 | 7 | 3 |
| Assists | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Minutes per goal | 332 | 281 | 141 |
Brobbey’s minutes since joining Sunderland
The Black Cats signed the striker from Ajax in September 2025 for around €20m. Régis Le Bris initially used him as a substitute before letting him lead the attack.
Last season, he played 1,968 minutes from 32 matches for Sunderland, managing seven goals and an assist. This season, the Dutchman has three goals in 424 minutes from six matches.
Brian Brobbey has been a regular for the Netherlands in this calendar year. He’s played 385 minutes from nine appearances, and that includes four World Cup matches in the summer.
Since joining Sunderland, he’s played 2,777 minutes for club and country. Although this isn’t much when compared to several others, Cees-Rein van den Hoogenband insists his latest setback is because of fixture congestion.
