Many believed Ivan Toney had put his international career at risk when he transferred to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia last summer. With the move came expectations that the striker would drift out of contention for the England squad, hidden from the spotlight of European football.
However, head coach Thomas Tuchel defied expectations by selecting Toney for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Andorra and a friendly against Senegal. Citing Toney’s goal return of 30 in 44 games and his role in Al-Ahli’s Asian Champions League Elite title win, Tuchel emphasized that the forward had earned his place.
“He scored more than 20 goals this season and played a big role in his team’s continental success,” Tuchel explained. “He’s here on merit.”
Toney, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, expressed confidence that he never fell out of the national conversation. “I always think positively. When you’re delivering on the pitch, the right people will notice,” he said. “Getting called up again – it’s the best feeling.”
Goals in a growing league
Despite skepticism surrounding the overall level of competition in the Saudi Pro League, Toney’s numbers and consistency stood out. Although the league ranked 29th globally in Opta’s Power Rankings – below the Ecuadorian top flight – it features a growing roster of international talent.
Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Riyad Mahrez have all moved to Saudi Arabia while continuing to feature for their national teams. Toney’s teammate at Al-Ahli, Edouard Mendy, will be lining up for Senegal against England next week.
John McAuley, a journalist covering the region, noted Toney’s own surprise at the standard of football in Saudi Arabia. “He found the level much higher than expected, especially with defenders like Aymeric Laporte, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Danilo Pereira in the league,” said McAuley. “He ended the season with 19 goals in his last 19 matches and came just two behind Ronaldo in the Golden Boot race.”
Toney also pointed to the importance of winning the Asian Champions League. “I haven’t lifted many trophies, so being part of that success was huge for me,” he told 5 Live.
A seasoned striker with a point to prove
Toney’s journey has taken him from Northampton Town to Premier League heights. Having played in all four tiers of English football, he truly broke through at Brentford, where a 20-goal league campaign in 2022-23 established him as a top-flight scorer.
His career, however, has not been without setbacks. A suspension in 2023 for breaching betting rules sidelined him for eight months. Still, he returned to action and even played in the Euro 2024 final against Spain before completing a £40 million transfer to Al-Ahli.
The reported salary of £400,000 per week – up significantly from his £50,000 wages at Brentford – was likely a factor in his move. But Toney insists financial gain was not the sole motivation. “I wanted something different,” he said in an interview with FourFourTwo. “I’ve been at various clubs, and now I’m embracing a new experience.”
Looking ahead, Tuchel sees Toney not only as a player in form but also as someone who could be critical in England’s World Cup plans. The German coach values winners in his squad and wants to assess how Toney fits into the group dynamic during camp.
BBC’s Alex Howell believes Toney is England’s closest like-for-like replacement for Harry Kane. “He provides that central figure others can play off. When Ollie Watkins plays, it changes the team’s setup. Toney brings balance.”
Given his success in Saudi Arabia’s climate, his exposure to tough defenders, and his recent form, Toney could be a valuable asset heading into the 2026 tournament. As the next matches approach, attention will turn to whether he can seize this opportunity and make himself a mainstay in the squad.
