(Reuters) – Gareth Southgate, the England manager, praised Ivan Toney’s abilities, stating that they are often undervalued. Southgate expressed his confidence in Toney making the most of his first start for the national team in the upcoming friendly match against Belgium. Toney, who has one previous cap for England as a substitute, is looking to showcase his talents ahead of Euro 2024, especially with key player Harry Kane sidelined due to injury.
At 28 years old, Toney has been in impressive form for Brentford, scoring goals in 10 consecutive games since his return to action in January following an eight-month suspension for violating FA betting regulations. Despite not playing in the recent 1-0 loss to Brazil, Toney’s chances have now increased with forward Ollie Watkins taking the field for the full 90 minutes.
Southgate highlighted the importance of realizing Toney’s full potential, stating, “I think sometimes the quality of (Toney’s) football can be under-estimated. 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.” The manager emphasized Toney’s confidence and form with his club as key factors in his selection for the upcoming match.
Regarding Toney’s playing style, Southgate noted, “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 also highlighted Toney’s versatility, describing him as more than just a target man due to his exceptional link play and impressive penalty record.
With Toney set to feature in the match against Belgium, Southgate emphasized the need to find the right balance within the squad. The manager acknowledged the limited opportunities players have at the international level and expressed his belief in Toney’s abilities to thrive in the upcoming game.
The England camp is hopeful that Toney will seize this chance to further establish himself as a key player for the national team. Southgate’s confidence in the forward’s abilities signals a vote of trust in Toney’s potential to make a significant impact in future matches, including Euro 2024.
As Toney prepares for his first start for England, the spotlight is on him to deliver a standout performance and prove his worth on the international stage. Southgate’s faith in Toney’s skills and character underlines the forward’s importance to the team’s success moving forward.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
