Evening Standard
·30 October 2024
Evening Standard
·30 October 2024
Striker left Brentford for Saudi Pro League earlier this summer
Ivan Toney has denied suggestions his England career is over after his big-money move to Al-Ahli.
The striker left Brentford in August to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League for a fee believed to be worth around £40m.
Toney has since scored four goals in 10 appearances for his new club but has not been included in any of the three England squads since Euro 2024.
The 28-year-old made three appearances for the Three Lions during their run to the final in Germany and provided an assist during the dramatic win over Slovakia in the last 16 before scoring a penalty in the shootout win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Lee Carsley is in interim charge of the first-team until Thomas Tuchel takes over in January and has so far named the likes of Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke as back-ups for Harry Kane.
Toney, however, does not believe the move to Saudi has ruled him out of future inclusion.
Ivan Toney played a part as England reached the Euro 2024 final
Getty Images
“I’m only in control of what I can do on the pitch – if that’s the case and me coming here is damaging my chances, then I can’t really change that,” he told FourFourTwo. “All I can do is focus on myself, play well and see what can happen.”
When asked if he thought his international career was over, Toney added: “Of course not - if I did, I’d tell you, but I don’t.”
Former England boss Gareth Southgate called Jordan Henderson up to the squad following his move to Al-Ettifaq last summer but the midfielder was booed by supporters at Wembley during their friendly win over Australia in October.
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