Ivan Toney insists he deserves to play at the World Cup for “more than just penalties”.
Tony has an excellent record in the spots and has also developed an amazing “no look” technique that makes him a valuable asset in shootouts. That was undoubtedly part of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s thinking when he called up the Al-Ahly striker from the Saudi Professional League.
But Toney says he deserves a little more respect than just being a penalty specialist and is desperate to get a chance to help the team off the bench.
The England striker said: “I’d like to think I didn’t just take the penalty. I’d like to think I’m a good player too.”
“I think I can contribute more to the game. But if I play just one minute and get a penalty, I’ll definitely say no. I’m here to help the team.”
“You have to be ready to take the opportunity because you have players that are playing. But I’m here now. I’ve done the right thing and I hope I get the chance now.”
“Regardless of where you are in the world, you still have progress to make and you still have a chance to show yourself on different stages. It may not be the biggest stage, but I’m still scoring goals and continuing to do my job.
“Given how the game is going, I think it will be a chance for some players to prove themselves. Everyone in the team has been training well and everyone is excited for everyone.”
“But as I said before, the manager is the manager and I have to respect his decision, whether he thinks I should be on the pitch or not.
Tony played a big role for England at Euro 2024 (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
“Maybe he has a different idea, and so did he the other day, but listen, whenever he picks me, I have to be ready and show him why I’m here and what I can do.
“As we saw at the Euros, football changes very quickly. You only get one minute and you’re down and frustrated, but then you score and progress. So no one can think the game is over, you just have to be ready when you’re called upon.
“I think things can change. Anything can change. I think the coach is the kind of person who, if someone is training, gives them an opportunity and gives them a few minutes of their time.”
“But I have to continue to focus on myself, continue to train well and continue to be happy with myself, and hopefully I can get some time back.”
The former Brentford goal machine says he realized his place in the team as soon as he saw his family in the stands.
Toney is ready to play a big role for England this summer
They came to see him at the World Cup because he described it as a “huge honour” to represent England on “the biggest stage”. However, they soon brought him back to earth. Because my son was more interested in Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
“I really miss the kids being here, but I hope it’s for something special,” Tony said.
“Yeah, they’re coming. My son is starting to get more into soccer. It’s starting to kill me a little bit. He’s saying, ‘Why haven’t I come this far and not played?'” It’s hard to answer that. “Daddy is waiting.”
“He went to see them, not me. It was the first time he went to see me after the game and gave me a big hug. And he brushed me aside and said, ‘Where’s Saka? Where’s December… I missed you too, kid!’
The 30-year-old is in great form both on and off the pitch. The Al Ahly striker scored consecutive hat-tricks in two friendly matches against local teams behind closed doors. If England are to do well in this tournament, he will be an important figure. he is ready to leave.
Tony is waiting for his moment (Image: Getty)
He was also philosophical about his role in the team, stating that he would probably be off the bench as Harry Kane’s back-up and someone determined to make sure the group was “happy, cheerful and well-trained”.
Tony has a big personality, aura, and confidence. But as Tuchel discovered, that is the correct side of arrogance and should never be taken at face value.
This is a comeback of sorts. Toney was dumped by Tuchel 12 months ago because the England manager thought he hadn’t trained enough and didn’t like his attitude at a training camp in Girona. He made a two-minute substitute appearance but never appeared again.
Tony wasn’t alone. After that camp, there was no Trent Alexander-Arnold, no Curtis Jones, no Kyle Walker. However, Tuchel’s assistant coach Justin Cochrane persuaded the manager to give Toney another chance.
Tony said, “I think it’s just because he doesn’t really know me as a person, so it’s like just talking and digging deeper into things about me and him.”
“And I think now he’s starting to see the real me. And hopefully he’s happy that I’m here. So I think I’m the right personality to be around the players. I think that’s the key as well, being a good person around camp.”
“I know I’m not going to play in every game, I’m not going to get a lot of minutes, but I’m still going to train well and have a good laugh. Just be around the camp and be happy and cheerful and create a fun environment for everyone.”
“I think there are some guys in other camps who get a little grumpy and have a bad mood, but that never happens to me and I don’t think all the guys here ever get like that.
“Everyone is cheerful, even the players who are not playing. Everyone is enjoying training and everyone is happy for the players who are playing and who are scoring.”
Tony is a great option off the bench. A true centre-forward that Kane says is fun to play with.
Importantly, Tuchel was able to say openly and honestly that Toney is unlikely to start, but transparency is important.
Tony said, “I always believe in myself. I know what I’m capable of. If I get a chance, I know I’m going to take it. You always have to believe in yourself and what you’re capable of.”
“Even if I didn’t get selected, it was always in the back of my mind, but I still think, ‘When the opportunity comes, I’ll do what I can.’ And like I said, yeah, I scored enough goals to get me here.”
Tony is performing at a high level in Saudi Arabia (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
“My coach and I talked and he told me which role is better because it’s frustrating going into a tournament not knowing where you stand.
“So before we went into camp, he told me what my situation was going to be and said I want you to come to camp. If the coach says that, I think it’s up to the players to make that decision.”
“And for me it was non-negotiable. Of course I accepted it and wanted to be here to help the team. I’ve been here before, on the bench, scrambling to get on the pitch.”
“A prime example of that was when I was at Peterborough and I didn’t play in the first nine games, but the players in the team were playing well.
“I waited for the opportunity and managed to take it and thankfully I managed to score a lot of goals. So I just have to prepare for the opportunity and grab it. When the opportunity comes, I’m going to do my best to do what I do best, which is score goals and help the team.”
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