Sport
Ivan Toney is getting better and better and is ready for ‘Big Six’ transfer
Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more Premier League goals than Ivan Toney this season with the 26-year-old a proven match-winner for Brentford. His early-season form has earned him a first England call-up and there’s no reason why Toney couldn’t make the step up to a ‘Big Six’ club.
Toney’s rise over the last few seasons has been remarkable. Once deemed not good enough for Newcastle United, the striker has proven himself at every level he has played at and is now earning a reputation as one of the best all-round centre forwards in the Premier League for Brentford.
Brentford are renowned for their dynamic approach under Thomas Frank and Toney is the one who sets the tone at the head of their attack. He is capable of playing his part in possession, he can run the channels, he can get in behind and he can finish. That makes him an attractive asset who would improve most Premier League teams.
Manchester United have been linked with Toney as Erik Ten Hag continues to struggle for a suitable centre forward for his possession-heavy approach. The 26-year-old would be a good fit for what the Dutch coach is building at Old Trafford and so it would be unsurprising to see United make a move when the January transfer window opens.
Chelsea have also registered an interest in Toney in the past, although it’s unclear whether Graham Potter would push for the signing of the Brentford striker now that he is in charge. Tottenham Hotspur could do with Toney as a depth option, although the 26-year-old might not want to play second fiddle to Harry Kane for club and country.
In the immediate term, Toney’s target is surely to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2022 World Cup. Despite being called up for last month’s matches against Italy and Germany, the 26-year-old has still to make his debut for the Three Lions, but his Premier League form could be enough to force him into Southgate’s squad.
“That would be a big thing [Toney making the World Cup squad],” Brentford boss Frank recently said. “We spoke about it when he got the call up, a first cap would be amazing. For Ivan it would be amazing, I personally think, and I respect Gareth so much and he knows the bigger picture than me, I’m a little bit bias, I’m only looking at Ivan but also I know him very well. I think he is the perfect fit for the squad if you want that flexibility in strikers, I don’t see one striker that can do the same as him.”
Indeed, Toney would be a good option for England even if he travels to Qatar as a second or third-choice option. Kane’s fitness record suggests Southgate needs a contingency plan to protect against any absence of the Tottenham Hotspur centre forward and Toney could be that contingency plan.
Some players are later bloomers. Jamie Vardy didn’t play in the Premier League until his mid-20s and he has gone on to become one of the best strikers in the division’s history. Toney similarly developed late in his career after dropping down the divisions, but has flourished in a way that makes him perfect for the top flight.
United should be interested and others should be monitoring the Brentford striker. Toney doesn’t just have the ability to make the step, he has the personality and self-belief too. Strikers like the 26-year-old are hard to find. He can do it all and he can do it at an even higher level than he is currently.
