Who is Ivan Toney, could England’s new striker play for Jamaica?
Last week, Gareth Southgate included Ivan Toney in England’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany.
Ivan Toney grew up in the Eastfield district of Northampton with his mum and two sisters. The 26-year-old has not taken the typical route to become a Premier League footballer. He joined Brentford from Peterborough in 2020 for €5.6 million and played for a host of clubs before The Posh, including Scunthorpe, Wigan, Newcastle, Barnsley and Northampton Town, where he started out.
Toney broke the Championship goalscoring record with 31 goals in 45 matches and scored a penalty in the play-off final against Swansea City at Wembley to send Brentford back to the top flight for the first time in 74 years. He has quickly established himself in the Premier League, scoring five times in seven league appearances for Brentford this season. Last season, he notched 12 league goals and provided five assists for Thomas Frank’s men in their first season in the top flight.
Can Toney play for Jamaica?
Last week, Toney received his first England call-up for upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany. Toney has outlined the reasons behind his decision to reject Jamaica in May 2021, just before he helped the Bees achieve promotion to the Premier League.
He qualifies for the Reggae Boyz via his family heritage, and told media at St George’s Park: “At the time I was focusing on the play-offs and it was a big chapter in my career. I wanted to focus on getting promoted to the Premier League that was the main thing at first and it kind of fizzled out.
“I was excited to play in the Premier League which is everybody’s dream but then I felt like my chances were getting bigger and bigger to play for the England senior squad.”
“It’s a privilege to play with big names, I’ve got to take it in my stride and hopefully I’ll get some more playing time with them. This is my opportunity now, I’ve got to take it with both hands,” he continued.
“I’m excited and confident. I’m very hungry, I’ve been working for this moment and I’m not going to let it go by me so I will take it with both hands and make the most of it. I feel like I have full confidence in myself. I’ve just got to keep working hard and it makes it that much sweeter when I do get the chance.”
World Cup possibility
If Toney plays for England against Italy or Germany this month and impresses, then he could end up being Southgate’s second-choice striker option behind Harry Kane at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.