MY ACCOUNT
Brentford talisman Ivan Toney has hit form at just the right time this season, to help steer the Bees away from the drop.
Toney, 26, has netted eight goals in his last eight Premier League games to fire Thomas Frank’s men into 13th place, 12 points from safety.
But while supporters of the West London club will be delighted with their recent upturn in results, they are now beginning to wonder whether they will be able to keep hold of their star forward this summer.
With the mid-table side set to face Watford next on Saturday, we take a look at Toney’s rise to the top and ponder where he could be heading next.
Bees on the rise
Toney made the switch to Brentford from Peterborough in August 2020 having notched 24 league goals in the third tier to become the division’s top scorer that term.
The following season was a monumental one for both Toney and his new club as the Northampton-born forward struck a remarkable 33 times to secure a third-place finish in the Championship table for the Bees before they overcame Swansea in the play-off final.
The 5ft 10in striker has gone on to impress in his first top-flight season with 12 goals and four assists in 29 league outings.
A highlight of the campaign to date was Toney’s hat-trick against Norwich last month, the club’s first in the Premier League scored at a crucial time to secure three points against relegation candidates.
Proving to be a devastating aerial presence as well as a clinical finisher from the penalty spot, the Englishman has really showed his class at the highest level.
Heading across the capital?
With only four men ahead of him in the Premier League top scorer charts, it is no wonder that a number of clubs have taken notice of Toney’s form.
In most need of an attacking focal point are Arsenal, who have scored just twice in their last four outings, resulting in a slide out of the top four.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the Emirates earlier this season and contracts running out for frontmen Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, recruits are required.
And Gunners legend Ray Parlour believes Mikel Arteta should look across London to find the missing piece to his forward line.
Parlour said: “I’d love to see Arsenal take a gamble on Ivan Toney. I think he’s a good young striker who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League with Brentford.
“I’d expect him to only get better as he moves towards his peak years and he’s also a nailed-on penalty taker which we don’t have now that Aubameyang has left the club.”
Three Lions calling
Toney himself is settled at the Brentford Community Stadium as is eager to build on this season’s achievements.
Following Sunday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham, the hitman said: “I feel like we’ve got more than enough to stay in the league. We were feeling closer and closer and better.
“If I’m not leading with my performance, I lead with my words.
“I want to create a legacy. I want to leave something in people’s minds. I want to be known for something.”
And with a World Cup looming later in the year, the marksman will be keen for consistency in his attempts to break into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
Even if bids are tabled, Toney — contracted until 2025 — may be happy to stay put, for now at least.
