Brentford striker Ivan Toney is celebrating his first call-up to the England squad, but has admitted his fellow Three Lions star Harry Kane may have him beat when it comes to penalty taking.
Toney has been on quite the journey on his way to the top, starting out in the Northampton youth team before moving to Newcastle United. Plenty of loan spells later, Toney made the move to Peterborough, where he caught the attention of Brentford (Transfermarkt).
The prolific attacker helped the London side reach the Premier League, and was a key component in their fight to survive in the top flight last season.
After a strong start to the current campaign, with five goals and three assists in his first eight games (Transfermarkt), Toney has finally made his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
For any striker making their name in the Premier League and hoping to make an impression on the international stage, you can do far worse than to look to Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane for inspiration.
When asked which strikers he watches, Toney name dropped the England captain and Spurs star as someone he looks up to.
He said (Sky Sports): “I like a lot of strikers. I do like Harry Kane – when he gets a chance, nine times out of ten it’s in the back of the net.
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“I like the likes of Didier Drogba, I like to play his game sometimes, [he] put his body around, good in the air, in behind, finishing.
“But I kind of watch all strikers and just try and take tips from all strikers that have been involved in the game at the highest level and bring it into my game.”
The two strikers may end up in competition when it comes to penalty duties for the national team though. As designated spot-kick takers for their respective clubs, both Toney and Kane offer England strong options if a shootout occurs.
In an interview with Sky Sports ahead of England’s double header against Italy and Germany, Toney was asked about penalty responsibilities and who is better – himself or Harry Kane.
“Listen, he’s done it on the bigger stage. So I’ll say Harry Kane,” Toney admits.
Spurs Web Opinion
I really rate Ivan Toney, and I really hope he gets some game time in these two matches and would love to see him in the final squad for the World Cup. When it comes to penalties though, you’d have to say Kane has the advantage. Still, it can’t hurt to have both of them in the line-up if England do get a penalty shootout.
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