As Euro 2024 approaches, Brentford forward Ivan Toney finds himself at a crossroads.
With the tournament in Germany approaching, the 28-year-old is eager to gain a spot in England’s team for what will be his first big international competition. The pressure is considerable as chances to impress head coach Gareth Southgate are swiftly decreasing.
Toney’s absence off the pitch during England’s 3-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on Monday night has further added to the strain. As the last warm-up game before the Euros, the match was viewed as a critical opportunity for Toney to establish his case. Instead, he remained a spectator on the bench, watching his colleagues demonstrate their abilities and press their claims for a position on the final roster.
Toney has only one warm-up encounter remaining, against Iceland at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
Southgate has made it obvious that his top objective is to ensure that captain Harry Kane is in peak form for England’s opening group-stage encounter against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen. This concentration on Kane, along with the limited remaining game time, means Toney’s opportunity to establish himself is extremely restricted.
Gareth Southgate reveals Ivan Toney will play for England against Iceland.
Despite the hurdles, Southgate has assured that Toney will play against Iceland. “He [Toney] will be involved in the game on Friday,” Southgate told The Express, noting the Brentford striker’s serious situation.
For Toney, this may mean less than half a game to prove his value as Kane’s backup, a job critical to England’s depth and flexibility in the tournament.
Missing out on the Euros would be a crushing setback for Toney, who has overcome obstacles to get to this stage. After serving an eight-month ban for betting infractions, which concluded in January, he has been on a quest to show his worth and earn a place on Southgate’s team. His determination and perseverance have been visible, but the competitive nature of international football does not allow for complacency.
