Brian Brobbey has had a turbulent calendar year. The still only 21-year-old striker was often important for Ajax, made his debut in the Dutch national team, but also had to deal with a lot of criticism every week. In conversation with the NOS Brobbey looks back on the special year and calls his substitute against Greece (0-1) his personal highlight of 2023. “It leaves you wanting more. If I continue like this, I think I can be important for the Dutch national team at the European Championship.”
Marco van Basten and national coach Ronald Koeman were critical of Brobbey, while Aad de Mos praised him. According to the analyst, Brobbey could become one of the best strikers in Europe. “What we discussed after the national coach criticized me remains between us. But the fact that we have had contact says something of course. I want to be there at the European Championships; that is my main goal for 2024.”
Will Brobbey go to the European Championships?
Brobbey questions the statements Van Basten made to Rondo Ziggo Sports do. “He talks about everyone. He mentioned Devyne (Rensch, ed.) from Cambuur level. And a few days later he suddenly thought he was a good player again. He also always says: ‘Those guys earn a lot of money, so we can say something.’ He talks a lot, that is also his job of course. I don’t think he’s doing it to trigger us. I don’t need him for that. He says so much, but sometimes so little.”
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Brobbey tries to prove the critics wrong. At Ajax he works a lot on finishing and heading. “Our schedule was too busy, so I have not yet started with John Bosman, who will help me improve as a striker coach. Due to the busy schedule, it is not wise to shoot a lot. What do I do? During training I ask the left and right backs to provide crosses to improve that connection. At some point those balls will go in automatically.”
