Ivan Toney places himself within the store window — entrance and centre

Final week, Brentford introduced the signing of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Membership Brugge, with the 22-year-old set to hitch the Bees in July. Nearly instantly, the hearsay mill, which churns always, went into overdrive. The hypothesis over the way forward for Ivan Toney, within the information for the very best a part of a yr, grew much more frenzied. 

Brentford supervisor Thomas Frank’s phrases describing his new signing have been most instructive: “I’m very happy that we now have been proactive,” he stated. “Thiago is a really thrilling striker who matches the function in our crew. He’s hard-working and an excellent urgent participant. He’s additionally a bodily presence, superb within the field and may hyperlink the play.”

The place of affairs

The itemizing of Thiago’s qualities described Toney’s profile — additional proof, for many who sought it, that Brentford was making ready for all times with out its talisman subsequent season. With Toney being the topic of curiosity from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, the chance of a switch this summer time is especially sturdy. 

Toney, who returned in January from an eight-month ban for breaching FA playing guidelines, is out of contract on the finish of subsequent time period — so it’s hardly stunning that Brentford might be eager to money in on its highest-value asset if it may’t persuade the frontman to signal a brand new contract. The price of shedding a participant of such calibre on a free switch is crushingly excessive.

Furthermore, Frank was quoted by {a magazine} in his native Denmark saying Toney is more likely to be bought within the shut season — however the Brentford supervisor has since clarified that the interpretation of his feedback could not have been solely correct. Saying he would “love Toney to remain without end”, Frank did, nevertheless, admit that “the truth is he’s acquired yet another yr left on his contract in the summertime. I feel he’s been fairly open about taking part in for a high membership sooner or later.”

When requested about his supervisor’s feedback, Toney joked: “I see that as he doesn’t need me! The supervisor has stated what he’s stated however I can’t make golf equipment come and get me. I’ve simply acquired to maintain doing what I do and that’s rating objectives. What might be might be.”

Toney has definitely been bagging objectives, displaying little signal of rustiness on his return. When he scored within the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, it was his fourth aim in 5 video games. 

This features a aim 19 minutes into his comeback on January 20 towards Nottingham Forest — a freekick during which he moved the ball and the referee’s foam after the wall had been shaped, with out the referee noticing, and curled it into the web.

Made for prime time

The response to the aim was divided — some felt it was sharp follow, others asserted it was what winners do — however there was no dispute over the sense that this was prime-time Toney. The 27-year-old relishes the large stage and the brilliant lights. “I manifest issues like this,” Toney stated on NBC. “Most of them go within the stands and the automobile park, however this one went in.”

It’s not troublesome to see why Toney is in such excessive demand. He was the third-highest scorer within the Premier League final season — his second full season within the top-flight — along with his 20 objectives from 33 appearances bettered solely by Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. 

What’s extra, he usually finds a manner of influencing video games even when he doesn’t rating. Within the 3-1 defeat towards Manchester Metropolis earlier this month, Toney performed a significant half in Neal Maupay’s aim. His bodily presence and risk occupied and disturbed two defenders, permitting ’keeper Mark Flekken’s goal-kick proper by way of and into the trail of Maupay.

“He’s an distinctive participant, he’s a unprecedented participant,” stated Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola, who suffered at Toney’s arms final season when Brentford accomplished a unprecedented double over the Sky Blues. “He’s so harmful. He’s a grasp [at] us[ing] his physique for the second ball, good ending, you possibly can hyperlink with him — he’s the most effective I’ve ever seen [at that].”

Toney’s mentality makes him an particularly enticing proposition for the highest golf equipment. A giant persona, he appears to thrive when the stakes are excessive.

Speaking about his comeback in January with Brentford’s official web site, Toney stated he felt no nerves. “Nope, it was simply pleasure. I simply needed the whistle to go and to be concerned. That was my time to shine. I used to be all the time going to come back again stronger — that’s simply the mentality I’ve. I need[ed] to be a distinct animal once I got here again. It’s going to be scary.”

Psychological energy

This self-discipline was evident in how he dealt along with his ban for breaching the FA’s betting guidelines after he was recognized with a playing dependancy. “The most important punishment [is] to overlook out on a World Cup — everybody’s dream — it’s larger than lacking eight months of soccer,” Toney instructed Kick Sport YouTube channel. “I don’t need anybody to really feel sorry for me. I accomplished what I accomplished earlier than, the punishment is the punishment.”

Toney is decided to discover a place within the England facet for the Euros this summer time — Frank has advocated Toney’s case, saying “I do know what Ivan can carry, and I feel it’s one thing completely different England don’t have”. 

However regardless of whom Gareth Southgate picks as Kane’s understudy — the England supervisor is maintaining a tally of the likes of Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson and Eddie Nketiah — there may be larger curiosity about the place Toney will discover himself following the Euros. With a number of high strikers anticipated to be in the marketplace this summer time, Victor Osimhen the opposite large title Premier League golf equipment are chasing, it could possibly be a case of how the dominoes fall.

“You may by no means predict when is the appropriate time to maneuver elsewhere, however I feel it’s apparent I wish to play for a high membership,” Toney instructed Sky Sports activities. “Everyone desires to play for a high membership that’s combating for titles. To be the very best, it’s a must to play with the very best and compete towards the very best.”

Frank, too, doesn’t know the place Toney will find yourself — and, maybe extra pertinently for the Bees boss, for a way a lot. However he’s sure of 1 factor. “We all know what he’s price. I don’t assume there are various strikers on the earth who’re higher than him proper now,” stated Frank. “Who is aware of what will occur in the summertime? What Ivan is excellent at is being within the second — proper now, right here, prepared. That’s what he’s specializing in.”