Ivan Toney got here off the bench for England within the ultimate of Euro 2024 lower than 4 months in the past, however lots has modified since then.
The Brentford striker received his sixth cap for his nation in Berlin, having ascended from the decrease leagues to the England squad, aiding a purpose within the final 16 victory over Slovakia in Germany, then scoring within the penalty shoot-out in opposition to Switzerland.
By the tip of the summer time switch window although, Toney had made a shock transfer to Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli.
Ivan Toney speaks on his switch to the Center East
When England named their first squad after Euro 2024, Ivan Toney was not in it – omitted by interim boss Lee Carsley.
“We had a short dialog, however there’s a squad of multiple participant that he has to deal with so, we had a short chat and that was it,” Toney says now, in per week when FourFourTwo are in Jeddah to see his Al Ahli aspect tackle native rivals Al Ittihad within the Saudi Professional League on Thursday night time. “He’s obtained loads of different gamers to deal with, and the squad on the time that he selected.”
Toney was linked with varied Premier League golf equipment this summer time, but it surely was Al Ahli who made their transfer, with the 28-year-old deciding to make the swap.
“I imagine and understand it’s the appropriate transfer for myself at this stage of my profession,” he says. “It’s a special setting, folks have a look at this league otherwise however I stepped into it figuring out it’s nonetheless a excessive normal. I wished one thing completely different, I spoke to my household and was very excited for the journey.”
It implies that Toney is now competing in the identical league as Cristiano Ronaldo – naturally, as any striker would, he’s aiming to outscore the legend.
“Hopefully I can rating extra,” he smiles. “However I’m competing with myself, I don’t watch what different persons are doing. He’s a prime participant, I’ll think about myself.”
Many recommended when Toney moved to Saudi Arabia that the switch could jeopardise his probabilities of remaining within the England squad.
“I’m solely in charge of what I can do on the pitch – if that’s the case and me coming right here is damaging my probabilities, then I can’t actually change that,” he says. “All I can do is deal with myself, play properly and see what can occur.”
Thomas Tuchel will take over as the brand new England boss on January 1, and Toney insists that he doesn’t view himself as out of rivalry for Three Lions choice now. “In fact not – if I did, I’d inform you, however I don’t,” he says.
Striker nonetheless has World Cup dream
Requested about his probabilities of making the 2026 World Cup, he provides: “I’ve obtained to purpose for these sorts of issues, however there are different folks competing additionally.
“I see myself competing with whoever I’ve obtained to compete in opposition to – the principle focus (at Al Ahli) is taking part in properly, scoring objectives and ensuring the staff will get three factors.
“This league is a tricky league. Everybody has their opinion, it doesn’t imply it’s factual, I’m right here to deal with myself and what shall be shall be. If I used to be to get again concerned on the worldwide stage, I’m prepared for it. But when not, then it’s what it’s.”
There shall be extra from Ivan Toney in FourFourTwo journal quickly.