Glenn Hoddle has claimed that Leeds United summer transfer target Ivan Toney has taken his game to ‘another level’ this season.
That is proven by the fact that he has been called up by England for the first time and Hoddle thinks it’s the ‘correct time’ to see what the Brentford star can produce.
After failing to make the grade at Newcastle, Toney dropped down the leagues in England’s top-flight, before grafting his way back up in the colours of Brentford.
In his first full season in the Premier League, he scored 12 goals and supplied five assists for the Bees as they secured top-flight status.
That drew attention to the 26-year-old during the 2022 summer transfer market, with the likes of Manchester United, Leeds United and Newcastle United all looking at his talents.
Well, he has taken his performances up a few notches this campaign because he has five goals from seven and he will be aiming to surpass the 12 he scored last term.
Either way, Toney is a player Hoddle very much likes, as he shared what qualities stand out, whilst speaking to Premier League Productions.
“It’s the correct time to see Toney (on England call),” said Hoddle. “He is playing in a confident manner and he had good parts to last season.
“What he needs, for me, is a bit of a rest. It’s all on his shoulders at times last season. Looking at his physique and the way he plays, he likes to run the channels at times and hold it up. He has a lot of attributes.
“But I thought it was too much for him, then his form dipped a lot. Now, at the start of the season, he has started well. If he can stay fresh, then he could be in a better physique going to a World Cup compared to the back-end of the season. His form has been excellent.
“He has taken his game to another level, that’s why he is in the England squad. It’s whether he can be consistent in what he is doing now. He has got fantastic talent.”
TONEY NEVER GAVE UP
Over the years, Toney has had many spells across the football league, with his spell at Peterborough well and truly starting things off for him.
Given he was under the big lights at Newcastle, and was then seemingly told he wasn’t good enough, it could have been easy for the player to sulk.
But instead, he thrived in the colours of Peterborough, Scunthorpe and Northampton Town, to name a few, before landing back with the big boys.
Now, he is days away from earning his first England cap and months away from being part of Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup plans in Qatar.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
