Tottenham set to have one fewer problem to deal with in upcoming Premier League fixture

Paradoxically, you could argue that by ending the season of Tottenham’s captain prematurely, Brian Brobbey saved us from relegation.

The Sunderland striker became Public Enemy No. 1 in N17 after Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge. Brobbey was guilty of a cynical push on Cristian Romero, which sent the Argentine crashing into his goalkeeper, Antonín Kinsky.

Romero picked up a knee injury that he wouldn’t recover from until just before the World Cup, meaning he missed the final six games of the season. At the time, it appeared to be a devastating blow. As chaotic as Romero’s captaincy had been, the majority regarded the Argentine as an indispensable figure when push came to shove.

He’d produced the goods in the biggest moments the season before, and plenty projected Romero to put his wretched 2025/26 form to the side as Spurs attempted to stay in the Premier League.

His injury forced Kevin Danso into the mix, partnering Micky van de Ven, and the Austrian, despite his error late on in the 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, proved a steady presence when De Zerbi needed it most. Crucially, he stayed on the pitch, and that was no guarantee with Romero at that point.

Still, few Spurs fans have forgotten Brobbey’s shove, and those particularly perturbed by the Dutchman’s antics will be pleased to learn that he’s an injury doubt for our upcoming Premier League fixture.

Brobbey is just horrible to play against, isn’t he? What a nuisance. He troubled the Lilywhite defence during both meetings last season, scoring the equaliser in our 1-1 draw at home before emerging as the arch-antagonist in the reverse fixture.

He’s not yet a perennial goalscorer, and has only scored in one game this season—albeit a hat-trick at Manchester City. Still, he’s the sort that few defenders relish facing, and one I wouldn’t fancy our Dutch duo at centre-back to match up well against.

Fortunately for Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven, their compatriot has withdrawn from the Netherlands camp ahead of their two UEFA Nations League fixtures. According to a Dutch source, Mounir Boualin, Brobbey has "suffered a small tear in his thigh" that could sideline him for several weeks.

If Boualin’s report is accurate, then the striker is likely to miss Spurs’ visit to the Stadium of Light later this month. It’s worth noting that those with an intimate knowledge of Sunderland are skeptical about the extent of Brobbey’s setback. There are serious concerns about the injury Granit Xhaka sustained at the weekend, though.

Ones to keep an eye on, for sure, as we attempt to navigate the final international break until next March. Hoorah!