The Brentford striker has received his maiden call-up from Gareth Southgate ahead of this month’s Nations League games with Italy and Germany. Toney has never featured for England’s youth teams, but since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League, he has caught the eye of the England manager. It is the realization of a lifelong dream for the striker, who is determined to make the most of the opportunity he now has with the chance to go to the World Cup in Qatar on the horizon.
England’s full 28-man squad to face Italy and Germany
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale. Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker. Means: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse. Front: Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney. “I’ve never doubted it. I have complete confidence in myself, I feel like I have to keep working hard and it makes it that much sweeter when you get the chance,” Toney said at a news conference Tuesday. “I’ve never played for any of the age groups, I’ve gone straight into the senior team. It’s a great achievement, I’m very proud and I wouldn’t want it to go any other way. “This is my chance now. I’m excited and confident about it and I’m very hungry. I’ve been working for this moment and it’s here now. I’m not going to let it go. I’m going to grab it with both hands and make the most of the opportunity I have . “There’s never any pressure – I don’t think I’ve ever felt any pressure in my career to date. It’s more excitement and it’s such a privilege to play alongside such quality players and represent my country. I’ll go with the flow and hope you take advantage of it to the fullest. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Following a call-up to the England squad, we take a look at Ivan Toney’s five goals and two assists so far this season for Brentford. “It’s a massive opportunity to get on the plane but we’ve got to go day by day. Hopefully I’ll get some minutes with the next couple of games we’ve got and make the most of my opportunity. Hopefully it’s enough for the team to see me.” When asked what Southgate has told him so far, Toney revealed: “Just be yourself, you’re here for a reason and you’re not here to make up the numbers. Just do what brings you here and be yourself . “It’s the main things he told me to do, so I’m sure I’ll do it and hopefully it’s enough to keep me in the squad for the World Cup.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player The Saturday Football panel reacted to the England squad announcement, with Paul Merson thinking Luke Shaw is lucky to be included Toney has previously discussed the sacrifices his family made for his football career and revealed how he told them about his England call-up. “From the early stages, my sister would take me to football and do her university work while she waited for me to take me home while my mum and dad worked,” he said. “My mum has played a huge part, sometimes making sure I eat and not herself. She’s played her part massively, as has my dad who’s taken me all over the country, whether it’s trials here or there, he’s come to support me in every game, just like my other sister. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse says not being included in England’s squad for the European Championships was a tough time for him and the pain is motivating him to ensure it doesn’t happen again before the World Cup in Qatar. “Everyone has played a part, so it’s a bit sweeter when I’m sitting here now on top of England, representing the country. It’s not just me who’s done this, everyone around me has played a part and I can’t thank them enough. “I was driving to training and the Bradford gaffer called me. I was running a little slow so I thought he was calling me about my timing. Then he said to me “I am privileged to tell you that you have been called up to the senior England team”, and I never had anything to say. “I was driving and I wouldn’t say I took the seat belts off because that wouldn’t have been the best thing to do, but I was thinking ‘wow, I’m actually going to play for the England team’. Really signed up, I was answering the gaffer’s questions but it still wouldn’t go through. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Brentford manager Thomas Franks is reflecting on the moment he broke the news to star striker Ivan Toney that he had been called up to the England squad for the first time. “I immediately called my parents, we have a family group chat, I video called everyone and got the news. They screamed for about 20 minutes, my dad honking wherever he was, they must have thought he was going. crazy. “It was a huge moment for all my family and such a great achievement to represent my country.” Jordan Henderson has joined the England squad after recovering from injury. The Liverpool captain arrived at St George’s Park on Monday night and replaces Manchester City midfielder Calvin Phillips, who will undergo shoulder surgery.
Toney: Hopefully one day I’ll be in Haaland, Jesus’ shoes
Toney, asked if he believes he will ever score as many goals as Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus, suggested he would one day like to be in their shoes with the service they receive at Manchester City and Arsenal respectively. “It’s easy to say that if I was in their team I would score goals. But when you play teams like them, they dominate possession more, so there are more chances to score. “But you still have to put it in the back of the net. Until I’m there, we’ll have to see. Until then, I’m not too sure. They’ve got quality players helping them, so hopefully one day I’ll be in their shoes and have this opportunity to score goals like Haaland and Jesus.”
Grealish: Southgate criticism ‘too harsh’
Image: Jack Grealish played in June’s disappointing games
Jack Grealish believes criticism of Southgate in the summer was “too harsh” given his success as England manager. While the nation is still searching for a first men’s trophy since 1966, the Three Lions have never been closer to matching Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroics than in the last two major tournaments. Southgate led England to a run to the World Cup semi-finals four years ago that was as stunning as it was unforgettable, before taking the country to a penalty shoot-out for Euro 2020 glory last summer. But the former defender has never shied away from criticism and came under fire after a difficult four-game Nations League slog in June that ended with a 4-0 Molineux drubbing by unheralded Hungary. “I think it was harsh,” fan favorite Grealish said of the reaction to Southgate. “We got to the final last year and after the Hungary game (we lost 1-0) at the start of the last camp, I think before that the last time we lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something . “Well, I think it’s very tough, especially (as you saw in the World Cup and the Euros) with how well the team did and the manager himself. “I thought it was obviously harsh, but sometimes that’s what you get if you’re English. I’ve certainly had my fair share!”
Capello: Are England mentally strong enough to win the World Cup?
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Fabio Capello reflects on his time as England manager, which he says was a very proud period of his career. He also gives his views on current manager Gareth Southgate as well as England’s chances at the World Cup Meanwhile, Fabio Capello spoke to Sky Sports, giving his views on Southgate as well as England’s chances at the World Cup. The former England manager questioned whether England’s players are mentally strong enough to lift the trophy. “I’m really interested to see who comes out on top at the World Cup in Qatar,” he told Sky Sports. “As a former England manager, when I was coaching the team in September, October and November, we were ready to face the best teams in the world. “In March and April, it was like that because the physical level was dropping and then we found it very difficult in June. “I want to test my theory that England are a great team at this time of the year, so apart from talented players and a top manager, can they really be competitive and win a major event like the World Cup?” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Rob…
