Interim England boss Lee Carsley refused to rule out a return to the squad for Ivan Toney despite the striker’s big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
Toney moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli from Brentford in a £40m deal last week, bringing an end to his successful four-year stay in west London.
The 28-year-old featured for England at Euro 2024 but was not named in Carsley’s squad for the Three Lions’ Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
The decision raised doubts over Toney’s international future having moved to Saudi Arabia, but Carsley confirmed he will give the forward every chance to prove he is worthy of a call-up as long as he remains in charge.
‘I was thinking about that to be honest,’ Carsley said on Friday.
Ivan Toney moved from Premier League side Brentford to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli for £40m
Interim England boss Carsley refused to rule out an England recall for Toney despite the move
‘I think ultimately as an interim head coach I don’t think I can rule anyone in or out. It would be really interesting to go out and see Ivan play and see the level and see the tempo and see the standard.
‘We’ve got access to the games so I’ll definitely be following his progression out there. It would be good to go and see an actual live game to get a feel of the atmosphere and the pace of the game because sometimes you don’t quite get that on a video.
‘So, yeah, he’s definitely not ruled out. We have to be mindful… I’ve got a perception of the football out there but I’ve not been out there and seen it.
‘So I think it would be reckless to rule somebody in or out so he’s definitely not ruled out and yeah I would like to go and sample and see what the football’s like out there.’
Despite Carsley’s reassurance, some will point to Jordan Henderson’s short-live Saudi adventure as a cautionary tale for Toney when it comes to an England return.
Henderson ended his 12-year stay at Liverpool in July 2023 as he joined Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, managed by Reds legend Steven Gerrard.
However, the 34-year-old lasted six months as Al-Ettifaq agreed a mutual termination of his deal prior to joining Dutch giants Ajax.
The Saudi switch also hampered Henderson’s England career, with the midfielder failing to make an appearance for the Three Lions in 2024.
Toney scored 72 goals for the Bees in the Championship and Premier League for Brentford
The ex-Bees striker may look at Jordan Henderson as a cautionary tale for his England future
Toney has six caps for England and one goal, which was a penalty against Belgium in March
Toney will also be grateful Ronald Koeman is not England boss, after the Netherlands manager declared Steven Bergwijn his international career was all but done after moving to Saudi Arabia.
Bergwijn moved from Ajax to Al-Ittihad for £21m, a move that raised some eyebrows given the winger is only 26 years old.
However, Koeman was not a fan.
‘The book is basically closed,’ Koeman said on Tuesday.
‘I think that when you’re 26, the ambition should be sporting and not financial.’
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