Ivan Toney has been one of the most talked-about footballers in England lately, and there is no doubt the 25-year-old Brentford striker has done enough to catch the eye of manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the European Championship in June.
Toney, who signed for the Bees in September 2020, has been one of the standout performers in the Championship, scoring 29 goals in his first season at the club, beating the previous record set by Glenn Murray and David Nugent.
The striker has been a key figure for Brentford in their quest for promotion to the Premier League, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the wider football community.
Toney’s impressive goalscoring record in the Championship would surely have been enough to warrant a call-up to the England team, but his overall contribution to the team has been truly outstanding.
The former Newcastle United and Peterborough United player is not only a goalscorer but also an excellent all-round player who can hold the ball up, bring others into play, and create chances for his teammates.
His work rate and ability to press high up the pitch have been vital to Brentford’s success this season, and he has shown that he can adapt to different styles of play.
This versatility and his overall contribution to the team have not gone unnoticed by his manager. Thomas Frank has praised Toney on numerous occasions, and the Brentford boss believes the young striker has everything it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Frank has said that Toney’s work ethic is second to none, and he has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world. The Brentford boss has also praised Toney’s leadership qualities, something that will no doubt be useful in the England camp.
Most importantly, Toney has shown great humility and maturity, something that is often lacking in young footballers today. He has never allowed his success to go to his head and has always remained grounded and focused on his game. These qualities will no doubt endear him to Southgate, who values hard work and dedication from his players.
Toney has also been active off the pitch, using his platform to advocate for social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter. He has been vocal about the need for greater equality and has used his position to raise awareness of these issues.
In an interview with the BBC, Toney said that he was inspired by NBA star LeBron James and his commitment to social justice causes. The young striker said that he saw it as his duty to use his platform to help others, and he was willing to do whatever he could to make a difference.
It is clear that Toney has done everything possible to put himself in contention for an England call-up. He has been a standout performer in the Championship, demonstrated his leadership qualities and commitment to social justice causes, and shown great humility and maturity.
Southgate will no doubt be casting a keen eye on the talented young striker, and it would be no surprise to see Toney in the England squad for the Euros. He has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the world, and his performance in the Championship this season has been a testament to his abilities.
For Brentford fans, Toney has been a revelation, and they will be hoping that he can guide the team to promotion to the Premier League. For England fans, Toney is someone to keep an eye on, and it would be no surprise to see him play a key role in Southgate’s plans for the future.