The 28-year-old Ivan Toney has netted four goals in 10 games for Brentford since his return to action in January, after serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules.
Ivan Toney’s qualities are “underestimated”, England manager Gareth Southgate said as he tipped the in-form forward to make the most of his first start for the national team in Tuesday night’s friendly against Belgium.
Toney, who has one cap for England as a substitute, is aiming to make his mark in the run-up to Euro 2024, with leading scorer Harry Kane absent due to injury.
The 28-year-old Toney has netted four goals in 10 games for Brentford since his return to action in January, after serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules.
Toney was left on the bench during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Brazil, with Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins playing the full 90 minutes.
✅🚨 Today, Kobbie Boateng Mainoo and Ivan Toney will play for the first time as a starter for the England national team against the Belgium national team at the Wembley Stadium. pic.twitter.com/OF1POVAH1n
— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) March 26, 2024
“I think sometimes the quality of (Toney’s) football can be underestimated. We’re still getting to know all of those strengths, because until you work with a player more regularly, you don’t know them inside out,” Southgate told reporters.
“But with England, that’s the landscape – you don’t get hundreds of opportunities. He’s a confident guy. He comes in on the back of a good run of form with his club.
“He’s going to be on the field on Tuesday, no question. Confidence is crucial – that swagger, that self-belief. All of the top forward players have it,” Southgate added.
“You look at him being a big guy, but he’s not just a target man. His quality in link play is very good as well. (His penalty record) is definitely a great asset to have. We’ve obviously got to work out the balance of the squad.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher is hoping his experience of playing a leading role at the Blues this season could pave the way for a spot in England’s squad for this year’s Euros.
Gareth Southgate says he has never experienced anything like the injury crisis England are in right now, ahead of tonight's friendly with Belgium 🏴 pic.twitter.com/rXNkQW2G4Z
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 26, 2024
Gallagher has been named in every England squad since the 2022 World Cup, where he was an unused substitute, having made five appearances in Euro qualifying games.
The 24-year-old, who has been with Chelsea since the age of six, has captained the Premier League club on several occasions this season while Reece James and Ben Chilwell were sidelined by injury.
Gallagher has been one of the few dependable players for Chelsea in a season where Mauricio Pochettino’s squad has struggled for consistency, having made 38 appearances across all competitions.
“I’ve had to step up and be more of a leader this season at Chelsea, which I’ve really enjoyed and I think that’s helped me develop more as a player as well,” Gallagher told reporters after England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
His 90th-minute winner against Leeds United last month helped Chelsea advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they beat Leicester City to set up a semi-final clash against Manchester City.
“The experience I’ve had in the two cup competitions with Chelsea and getting as far as we have done will definitely help, being in those positions,” he said.
“It is what Gareth (Southgate) and the others are looking at. I’ll continue to work my hardest for Chelsea and give myself the best opportunity to be in (the Euros) squad.”
England are grouped with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia at Euro 2024 in Germany, which begins on June 14.
Reuters
