Ivan Toney's Surprising Return: Tuchel's Bold Choice for England's World Cup Squad
The announcement of the England World Cup squad on Friday morning revealed numerous surprises, with Ivan Toney emerging as one of Thomas Tuchel's significant inclusions. Having been absent from the national team for nearly a year, Toney, now with Al-Ahli, previously made only one appearance under Tuchel, coming on as a late substitute in a loss to Senegal. Despite missing the last four squads, Toney's return raises questions about Tuchel’s strategy. He was part of Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024, contributing as a late substitute during the tournament. Known for his exceptional penalty-taking skills, Toney scored crucially in a shootout against Switzerland. His impressive record of 36 goals in 85 Premier League games translates to nearly a goal every other match, and he has excelled in the Saudi Pro League with 55 goals in 62 matches. Comparatively, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 53 times in 60 appearances in the same league. Tuchel expressed surprise at Toney’s inclusion, citing positive feedback from his club coach. Toney's current season saw him finish second in domestic scoring with 32 goals in 32 games, boasting more assists and a superior shot conversion rate than Harry Kane. As one of only three strikers selected, alongside Ollie Watkins, Toney's inclusion counters the argument for needing additional forwards. Critics suggest his spot could have gone to more versatile players left out, like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. However, Tuchel argues that Toney's confidence and ability to cope with high-pressure scenarios make him invaluable. The Three Lions kick off their campaign against Croatia on 17 June, and Toney’s presence could be pivotal as they aim to advance further than previous tournaments.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-22