‘So important’: Granit Xhaka delivers Sunderland dressing room verdict on Brian Brobbey hattrick and form

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka praised teammate Brian Brobbey after the Dutch striker scored a hat-trick in a 5-3 defeat against Manchester City. The three goals were Brobbey's first of the campaign, though Sunderland was unable to secure any points from the match. Head coach Régis Le Bris and Xhaka had both predicted prior to the match that Brobbey would begin scoring soon.

Xhaka highlighted Brobbey's unselfish play and work rate both with and without the ball, noting that his contribution to the team extends beyond statistics. Brobbey had been rested for Sunderland's European fixture against AZ Alkmaar before returning against Manchester City, and is scheduled to feature for the Netherlands against Germany.