Ivan Toney keeping focus on England amid more transfer speculation
Brentford boss Thomas Frank suggested the Bees had already prepared for his exit with one of their signings.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ivan Toney insists he is focused more on England’s Euro 2024 hopes than his own future.
The 28-year-old is widely expected to leave Brentford this summer and has been linked with a host of other Premier Leagues sides.
Having returned from an eight-month ban for breaching Football Association betting rules, Toney did enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was asked about Toney’s future while working as a pundit for BBC Sport and he said the club have “prepared” for the striker to leave by signing Igor Thiago from Club Brugge.
When Franks’ comments were put to Toney at England’s Blankenhain training base on Sunday, he replied: “I didn’t hear him say that!
“I can’t predict the future and if I could I wouldn’t be sat here in front of you guys. What will be will be and my main focus is playing well and doing well for me country.
I'm here with England now, and the main focus is doing well for England and whatever happens, happens
“I’ve been through it (transfer speculation) before. There’s been lots of talk of me going here, there and everywhere before in my career and I just don’t let outside noise get to me.
“I’m here with England now, and the main focus is doing well for England and whatever happens, happens. I can’t control it.
“From 18 when I was supposed to go to Wolves and I was all excited and getting involved in all of it, then it didn’t happen, it hurt me.
“So since then I thought, ‘why am I trying to take control of things when I don’t need that pressure?’ I just let people who take care of those things to do it and I focus on the pitch.”
Toney and Ollie Watkins are the back-up options to captain and all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane for England this summer.
But, while Watkins was given 20 minutes off the bench in place of the skipper during the 1-1 draw with Denmark, Toney has had to remain patient.
“It is tough,” he said about needing the right mentality to go into games knowing he is unlikely to start.
“Near enough everyone in the team starts with their club and there is a way to adapt to being a sub or being a non-used sub. It is tough but you have to stay ready, be ready.
“There are times I have done it before in my career, when I went to Peterborough and wasn’t playing and was on the bench. When my chance came I took it and hopefully I can do the same if I get a chance here.
“Anything can happen in football. Things can change. You just have to be ready.”
Toney also revealed he has not been seeking an arm around the shoulder from Southgate as he waits for his opportunity.
“I spoke to him before coming here and I am the type of player who does not really want reassurance,” he added.
“He has 25 other players. We are all adults, we are all footballers. Sometimes you start, sometimes you won’t be used at all. You have to get your head around it.
“The main thing is that the manager has a job to make sure the whole team is ready and win the game so you cannot be sulking about not playing. The gaffer knows best.”