Ivan Toney’s Move to Saudi Arabia: A New Chapter
England international Ivan Toney made headlines this summer by signing a lucrative four-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. This move marked a significant shift as Toney turned his back on the Premier League, concluding an impressive four-season stint with Brentford.
The staggering wage of £400,000 a week was undoubtedly a major factor in his decision. However, his absence from the squad selected by former interim head coach Lee Carsley for the Nations League raises questions about the future of his international career with the Three Lions.
As new head coach Thomas Tuchel prepares to announce his first squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, speculation mounts over whether Toney will be overlooked. Currently, Toney is under the guidance of German coach Matthias Jaissle at Al-Ahli, and it has been reported that he has been in direct communication with Tuchel regarding Toney’s international prospects.
“An England manager who does not want Ivan Toney as an option from the bench would be making a huge mistake, and the fact that he plays in Saudi Arabia does not matter,” asserts Middle Eastern football expert Uri Levy. “Toney was a fantastic striker and a legitimate, definitive member of the squad; one that was not utilized enough during the Euros for England… here, he is playing a lot more.”
Brentford’s Transition Post-Toney
During his time at Brentford, Toney made a significant impact, scoring 72 goals in 141 matches. His departure raised concerns among fans and analysts alike about Brentford’s ability to cope without him. However, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have successfully stepped up, leading the Bees to adapt their style of play. They have shifted away from relying heavily on Toney’s aerial prowess, instead embracing a more fluid passing game and a dynamic pressing strategy.
“Sometimes, football teams and players move on, and it’s not necessarily a mistake,” Levy emphasizes.
Controversy and Comeback
Toney’s exit from Brentford came after a tumultuous year marked by controversy. In the 2023-24 season, he faced an eight-month ban due to 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting regulations, returning to action only in January of his final season at the club. Despite this setback, he was included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, where he made an immediate impact, assisting Harry Kane’s winner against Slovakia and scoring a memorable “no-look” penalty against Switzerland.
As rumors of a potential move to Arsenal, Chelsea, or Tottenham circulated, Toney made it clear he was ready for a new challenge. With those options not materializing, he joined the growing list of high-profile players making the move to Saudi Arabia.
“The financial opportunity was mind-blowing for him and, following his ban, it offered a fresh start, a new football environment to explore, and a chance to be a pioneer in a league that is developing rapidly,” Levy explains.
Toney’s Impact in Saudi Arabia
Since his transfer, Toney has made a significant impression at Al-Ahli, currently sitting in fifth place in the league. He has scored 16 goals in 21 league matches, ranking just behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the scoring charts, while sharing the same tally with Karim Benzema. Levy notes that Toney is still in the process of fully integrating into the team, stating, “That takes time – he is still new to the league, which is filled with massive stars who all want the ball at their feet.”
Toney’s first Pro League hat-trick came against Al-Hilal last month, but he faces stiff competition to reclaim his spot in the England squad. With Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins firmly established, players such as Dominic Solanke, Liam Delap, and Danny Welbeck are all vying for a backup position.
The Future of Toney’s International Career
If Solanke is selected, it would signal a continuation of the policies established by Tuchel’s predecessor, Carsley, who reintroduced him to the England squad after a seven-year absence. Delap, at just 22 years old, represents a focus on the future, while the selection of the 34-year-old Welbeck, who has excelled this season with seven goals and four assists in 17 league games for Brighton, would reflect a desire for experience.
“If we look at all the options of English strikers, Toney is still one of the top,” Levy adds. “He now brings his diverse experience from Asia with him, and he is still scoring highly wherever he plays.” With his current tally of 16 goals, Toney ranks second among all six striking options, only surpassed by Kane’s impressive 21 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
“People need to open their minds about Saudi football and consider how they play and who they play with,” Levy states. Notable players like France’s N’Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad and Spain’s Aymeric Laporte at Al-Nassr have made successful transitions to the Pro League while maintaining their international careers.
“It’s not as if you go to play football in Saudi and become irrelevant,” Levy asserts. Toney’s move may still spark debate, but if his current form is any indication, it should not hinder his chances for a call-up to the national team.
