Football
Toney is asking for a big transfer for the second year. A better club would help him to the national team
The Premier League’s third top scorer is not at the World Cup despite his country qualifying for Qatar. That’s the story of Ivan Toney, who is gunning Brentford for a second Premier League save. He is already likely to be in demand in the winter transfer window.
The Premier League’s third top scorer is not at the World Cup despite his country qualifying for Qatar. That’s the story of Ivan Toney, who is gunning Brentford for a second Premier League save. He is already likely to be in demand in the winter transfer window.
When Ivan Toney’s 33+10 record propelled Brentford into the English elite, the expectation was whether he would catch on in the Premier League or turn out to be a classic second division goalscorer. The fans believed in him and after a year and a half it can be admitted that rightly so.
An adaptation season on a high
The English striker scored in the third round and continued in style. Halfway through the competition he had four goals and two assists. Not bad numbers for a first season among the elite.
The second half of the season was not comparable. Toney was starting to believe in himself, helped a lot by his goal at Old Trafford in January. He doubled his spring tally in the second half of the season, scoring eight times and assisting three times between rounds 20 and 38.
Brentford had no worries about salvation, although they did not strengthen significantly before the season. This was thanks to Toney, who had a hand in 17 of the team’s 48 goals. A 12+5 record for a Premier League rookie? Good indeed!
Only Kane and Haaland are better
In the summer, Toney let it be known that he would like to accept an offer from a club playing in European Cups, but Brentford wouldn’t let him go. Probably no official offer has been made either. The skillful sniper did not start to sulk, on the contrary, he started to fire even more.
He jumped into 14 rounds, hitting ten times and assisting twice. That’s almost a point per game. His impressive record makes him the league’s third-leading scorer behind the phenomenal Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
He shot down the Citizens in response to Southgate
Hand-in-hand with his fabulous record, there has been speculation about his nomination to the England squad for the World Cup. He hasn’t featured in a national team jersey so far, which probably played a key role in Gareth Southgate reaching for the more experienced Callum Wilson.
A few hours after the England nomination was announced, Brentford took on Manchester City. A clear home win was expected and a frustrated Toney, but the away star’s two goals decided the underdog’s 2-1 triumph. He couldn’t have thought of a better response to the omissions on the roster.
Where to?
Toney is a classic spike striker. He’s got a good choice of space, finishing in the box, he’s also quick and, last but not least, strong in the box. His great strength is also his leadership, he can pull his teammates into an extraordinary performance.
If anyone needs a player like that, it’s definitely Chelsea. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s best years are behind him and there is no other top striker in the team. He would also be an interesting option for Manchester United, especially after the end of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Source: Premier League