When Ivan Toney walked back onto the pitch for Brentford in January, the moment was always going to be more than football. After serving an eight-month suspension for breaching betting regulations, he returned not just to a team in need of goals but to a league eager to assess what had been lost—and perhaps what might be reclaimed.
Three goals in his first five matches, combined with sharp hold-up play and renewed presence in the final third, have reignited talk of his England future. More significantly, it has reopened a broader discussion: where does redemption meet responsibility in the modern game? And should form outweigh past infractions when international tournaments loom?
The Footballing Argument
On the pitch, Toney’s quality is difficult to dispute. His physicality, tactical intelligence, and ability to drop deep and link play offer qualities distinct from England’s current crop of forwards. While Harry Kane remains undroppable, the options beyond him have lacked the same mix of presence and composure.
Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins have had moments, but neither has offered the combination of penalty-box instinct and penalty-spot certainty that Toney does. Brentford’s system allows him to showcase this blend, but his adaptability suggests he could transfer that skillset to the national side with minimal adjustment.
Gareth Southgate, notoriously measured in his squad selections, now finds himself with a decision that is no longer merely technical. It is cultural.
The Off-Pitch Consideration
Toney’s ban, though carried out in full, has not disappeared from the public consciousness. His violations—over 200 breaches—were not minor. The FA’s disciplinary approach was firm but also included a period of support and rehabilitation, aimed not just at punishment but at personal reformation.
In interviews since his return, Toney has struck a reflective tone. There has been no attempt to erase the past, only to move forward from it. His club have supported him fully. Many pundits and former players have urged understanding. Yet some remain cautious, questioning whether an international call-up so soon sends the right message.
For Southgate, whose leadership has often prioritised character and off-pitch standards, it is a genuine dilemma. But time is short, and form is pressing.
Euro 2024: Pragmatism or Principle?
With the Euros approaching and England still seeking the elusive blend of clinical edge and creative fluency, Toney presents a compelling option. His set-piece confidence, aerial strength, and big-match temperament could serve as a useful foil to Kane or a late-game option against deep defences.
But the inclusion of Toney would carry weight beyond tactics. It would signal that redemption, when handled responsibly, is recognised. That the door remains open, but not without scrutiny.
Should he be selected, it will not be because Southgate has lowered his standards. It will be because he sees a player who has done the work—on and off the pitch—to return to the highest level.
A Case Still Building
For now, Toney’s performances will speak loudest. Brentford remain in a battle to secure safety, and his contributions could define their run-in. Each goal, each assist, strengthens his claim. Each game without controversy reinforces the narrative of reform.
There is still time, but not much. And as England’s preparations take shape, Ivan Toney is no longer simply returning. He is asking to be counted.
And that question, when asked with both boots and honesty, deserves to be heard.
