Ivan Toney issued challenge after Arsenal target reveals shock summer transfer dream
England boss Gareth Southgate has challenged Ivan Toney to seize his opportunity against Belgium to prove he's ready for Euro 2024.
The role of Harry Kane's back-up in Germany is up for grabs, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson having previously filled the position. Now, it seems to be a straight contest between Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Brentford's Toney.
Watkins played the full match as he won his 10th cap against Brazil. Arsenal-linked Toney, who watched Saturday's 1-0 loss from the bench, will get his chance on Tuesday against Belgium. The 28-year-old, who looks set to leave Brentford this summer, earned his only cap so far as a substitute against Ukraine last year.
He's eager to makeup for lost time after returning from an eight-month Football Association betting ban in January. When asked about the significance of Tuesday's game for Toney, Southgate said: «You can't hide that fact. He knows.
»It would be his first start, so you've got to bear that in mind as well. But with England that's the landscape, you don't get hundreds of opportunities. I think every player recognises that's the world we live in.
«But he's a confident guy, he comes in on the back of a good run of form with his club. He's going to be on the field on Tuesday, no question.»
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Brentford will reportedly demand up to £100million to sell Toney. "You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club," he said earlier this year. «Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for
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