Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been left out of the last two England squads after leaving the London club to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli over the summer
England international striker Ivan Toney remains hopeful of an England recall, despite having yet to receive an international call-up since moving to the Saudi Pro League.
Toney was part of the Euro 2024 squad under Gareth Southgate, playing three times and scoring a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out victory over Switzerland. He hasn’t featured for his country since, though, with interim manager Lee Carsley leaving him out of his squads for the September and October international breaks after seeing the striker trade Brentford for Al-Ahli.
Carsley has one more pair of UEFA Nations League matches in charge before handing over to new permanent boss Thomas Tuchel in January. England are away to Greece and at home to Ireland, and a pair of wins could yet be enough for them to top their group and win promotion.
Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins joined Harry Kane among the striker options in October, while Carsley opted for a false nine system at home to Greece. Despite all this, 28-year-old Toney has a comeback in his sights.
“We had a brief conversation, but there’s a squad of more than one player that he has to focus on so, we had a brief chat and that was it,” Toney told FourFourTwo when asked about discussions with Carsley. “He’s got plenty of other players to focus on, and the squad at the time that he chose.”
When asked if he’d given up on a recall, he said: “Of course not – if I did, I’d tell you, but I don’t.” He indicated he’s focused on his club for now, but said he’s got to aim for targets like a place in the 2026 World Cup squad.
“This league is a tough league,” Toney added. “Everyone has their opinion, it doesn’t mean it’s factual, I’m here to focus on myself and what will be will be. If I was to get back involved on the international stage, I’m ready for it. But if not, then it is what it is.”
Does Ivan Toney need to leave Saudi Arabia to earn an England recall? Have your say in the comments section
Toney has three goals and two assists in six Saudi Pro League matches, with Al-Ahli sitting in eighth place. The Jeddah-based club have also won their first three matches in the AFC Champions League elite as they aim to go one better than their final defeat in 2012.
The former Brentford striker wouldn’t be the first European player to prolong their international career after a move to Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte was part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and N’Golo Kante among the other Saudi-based players involved in the tournament.
Jordan Henderson also remained in the international picture during a short-lived stint with Al-Ettifaq, playing for England in the autumn of 2023. However, the former Liverpool midfielder – who moved to Ajax in January – ultimately wasn’t part of Southgate’s Euros squad.
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