Goal machine: Sunderland are already brewing a homegrown Brian Brobbey

Jermain Defoe. A modern Sunderland legend. It’s a shame he wasn’t born a decade later; then he could have fronted Regis Le Bris‘ high-flying team.

The retired England striker scored 37 goals and supplied four assists across 100 appearances for the Wearsiders. A proper No. 9, he would have finished most of the few chances that the Black Cats mustered last season.

Creativity was in short supply at the Stadium of Light last season; Sunderland worked their magic in different ways. One of which was the unique menace of Brian Brobbey in the final third.

Why Brobbey’s injury scare is such a concern

Brobbey might not have Defoe’s innate shooting ability, but he’s no fool in front of goal.

Last weekend, before the international break, Sunderland were defeated 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City won that thrilling encounter, but the visitors were well worth their money, and Brobbey scored an emphatic hat-trick to illustrate the improvements he has made since last season, impressing with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Hailed last season as “a freight-train when dribbling” by journalist Antonio Mango, the 24-year-old is up and running, looking to close down the seven-goal return he secured in the Premier League last season.

Sunderland look a bit more creative this term, a bit more fluent when on the ball and moving forward. However, supporters currently face an anxious wait over their talisman’s fitness, for he was forced off injured for the Dutch during their recent Nations League draw with Germany.

He has since been replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in Xavi’s squad, with Brobbey having seemingly been struck down by a hamstring blow.

Sunderland might have lost to Arsenal and then City in the build-up to the ongoing international break, but Le Bris’ side impressed on both occasions.

Brobbey is an important player, but losing him isn’t the be-all and end-all, especially when their is an exciting young replacement waiting in the wings.

Sunderland have another Brobbey in the making

Brobbey is a beast of a striker, but we must look at his development through a pragmatic lens. This is one of the most desirable attacking profiles in football, and Bayern Munich and Manchester United have already explored a move since he moved to the Stadium of Light.

REUTERS/Phil Noble

With Brobbey also out injured right now, Le Bris may want to turn to the academy. He does have Wilson Isidor up top, but he blows hot and cold, and Finn Geragusyan may well have earned his chance at No. 9.

Geragusyan, 18 years old, is recognised as one of Sunderland’s most exciting prospects. He is dynamic and versatile, capable of dropping deep and moving out wide to influence play. Invariable, though, is his cutting edge in front of goal.

Journalist Josh Bunting says he has been “standing out for the academy” for a while, and it’s not hard to see why. Since first blooming with the development squad, the Armenian striker has posted 28 goals and 12 assists across 75 games for the Black Cats’ development sides, and if he can translate that kind of form to Le Bris’ squad, there’s no question that Sunderland would have something of a goal machine on their hands.

The one-game Armenia international is the real deal, and he looks like he is making the requisite progress in regard to his physicality to enjoy a successful career on Wearside.

More of an out-and-out scorer than Brobbey, Geragusyan may even come to establish himself as the first choice down the line, combining with the likes of Malick Fofana and Enzo Le Fee to raise the offensive bar at Sunderland.

Whether Geragusyan or Brobbey have what it takes to live up to a striker such as Defoe down the line remains to be seen. However, the younger man has been impressing across lower levels, and there’s no question that he could be the perfect added dimension to ensure Sunderland continue to make progress in the Premier League – and out in Europe too.