Ivan Toney has confirmed he is on good terms with Thomas Tuchel after the England manager initially questioned his training commitment, leaving the 30-year-old ready to act as a specialist finisher at the World Cup.
Toney is expected to be among the substitutes when England conclude their group campaign against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday, having been an unused option during the 0-0 draw with Ghana. The Al-Ahli forward understands his role clearly: he is behind Harry Kane and likely Ollie Watkins in the centre-forward hierarchy, but remains prepared to influence games late, particularly from the penalty spot.
From Saudi success to squad role
The former Brentford striker’s path to the tournament has been unconventional. After joining Al-Ahli in August 2024, Toney scored 30 goals in 44 appearances during his first season and followed that with 42 in 49 games in 2025-26, helping the Saudi club win the Asian Champions League twice.
However, his international prospects appeared uncertain in June 2025 when Tuchel questioned his “level of training and level of commitment” during a warm-weather camp in Girona. Toney made only an 88th-minute substitute appearance against Senegal and appeared to be sliding down the pecking order behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke.
When those alternatives failed to impress in March, Tuchel reconsidered. Assistant coach Justin Cochrane, who worked with Toney at Brentford, and Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle both vouched strongly for the striker. Tuchel held direct talks with Toney to address his concerns and define his squad role.
“It wasn’t really an apologising situation on both sides,” Toney said of the conversations. The discussions proved productive, with Tuchel now viewing the player as a useful foil for Kane who “takes the attention off him”.
Proven impact substitute
Toney has demonstrated his value as a late option before. At Euro 2024, he entered in the fourth minute of stoppage time against Slovakia with England trailing 1-0. He contributed to the build-up for Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick equaliser before supplying the assist for Kane’s extra-time winner.
His penalty expertise offers another weapon. Toney converted a trademark no-look effort in the quarter-final shootout victory against Switzerland, reinforcing a reputation that sees him willing to accept even a one-minute cameo if it means taking a spot-kick.
“I like to think I bring more than just penalties,” Toney said. “But if I’m just to come on for one minute to take a penalty, I’d never turn that down. I’m here to help the team.”
Family reminder
The striker’s marginal role has not gone unnoticed by his children. After the Ghana match, one of his sons asked: “Ah, why have I travelled all this way and you’re not playing?” Toney admitted it was “hard to respond to that”, noting that his children were more interested in meeting Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
With England potentially needing fresh legs against Panama to secure progression, Toney’s patience may soon be rewarded.