Season after season, Ivan Toney has proved that Newcastle United made a major mistake when they sold him in 2018.
Newcastle let Toney sign for Peterborough United five years ago, receiving just £650,000 for the striker. They let him go for less than £1million, and now he is flying in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is continuing to improve, and his second season in the Premier League has been even more impressive than his first. He is the third-top scorer in the league, netting 20 goals. That is eight more than he managed in the previous campaign for Brentford.
Now an England international as well, Toney has kicked on massively after failing to make the grade at Newcastle. It did not look like a mistake at the time, but he has certainly proven over the past few years that he could have been a hit at St James’ Park.
That was certainly evident on Saturday, when Toney was one of the best players on the pitch in the Bees’ 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. That is the view of pundit Tony Cascarino, who has compared the striker to a Premier League legend.
Tony Cascarino blown away by Ivan Toney’s improvement
In his weekly column for the Times, Cascarino has praised Toney for how he has improved as a player, and even compared him to former Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp.
“I cannot believe Ivan Toney’s improvement technically over the past 18 months,” he wrote.
“He was one of the best players at Anfield.
The Brentford striker has added all sorts of deft touches to his game, such as the clever pass that assisted Bryan Mbeumo’s disallowed goal. He has a finesse which, dare I say it, echoes that of Dennis Bergkamp.
“Toney’s subtlety complements his stature and finishing. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United should all consider a move.”
Newcastle eye a reunion
The pass that Cascarino is referring to was exquisite, and is the perfect example of how Toney has evolved his game as of late. He is not just a goalscorer – he is a complete forward.
Newcastle never would have envisioned that the teenager they signed from Northampton in 2015 would evolve into this top class Premier League player, but they are well aware of his talents now.
And that is why the Magpies are eyeing a reunion. According to the Telegraph, Toney is a player who Toon officials have discussed making a move for this summer.
Eddie Howe is looking to sign a new striker ahead of next season – ideally a focal point who can play a similar role to Chris Wood before he left for Nottingham Forest.
Toney could certainly do that and more. He is tall and powerful like a target man, but he is more than just a physical presence who bullies defenders.
It would be incredibly exciting to see Toney back at St James’ Park, and he would make Howe’s forward line even more dangerous alongside Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.
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