Ivan Toney joined Al-Ahli from Brentford in 2024 for a fee of £40m Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been recalled to England's squad for next month's matches against Andorra and Senegal. It is a first call-up for the 29-year-old since he moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli from the Bees last summer. He made the last of his six England appearances in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain. But 28 goals in 42 appearances for Al-Ahli this season has convinced England head coach Thomas Tuchel to have a closer look at the striker, having left him out of his first squad in March. England face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on 7 June, before welcoming Senegal to Nottingham Forest's City Ground for a friendly on 10 June. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has also been selected, despite the midfielder's upcoming shoulder surgery. The 21-year-old is set to have an operation following the Club World Cup - which starts on 15 June and follows England's matches - to resolve a long-term shoulder issue that has troubled him since 2023. Tuchel has selected a number of players competing in the Club World Cup, including captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher. Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is a notable absentee, while there are no representatives from Manchester United. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has received his first senior call-up. Goalkeepers:Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley) Defenders:Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, on loan from Manchester City) Midfielders:Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) Forwards:Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). There is no place for Manchester City's Foden, who said this week that his form this season has suffered because of off-field issues and an ankle injury. Marcus Rashford, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, misses out after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. His omission means there is not a single representative from Manchester United in the squad, with Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire also missing out. West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen is a notable absentee, while Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has also been left out. Team-mate Marc Guehi, who was a starter at Euro 2024, misses out due to the eye injury he suffered in Palace's FA Cup final win against Manchester City last week. BBC Sport can reveal that Tuchel phoned Guehi on Thursday to explain that he didn't want to risk re-injuring his eye. Tuchel made clear to the Crystal Palace captain that he remains vital to his plans but felt he needed to focus on recovering from the eye issue. Guehi spent Saturday night in hospital with a suspected fractured eye socket, though tests later confirmed he had escaped a crack and the injury was severe bruising. Elsewhere, Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke, who was named in Tuchel's first squad, misses out, while in-form Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy has failed to earn a first call-up. Despite pressure from clubs participating in next month's Club World Cup, Tuchel has stuck to his guns. The German, hired on a remit to win the 2026 World Cup, stressed before his first match in charge that he only has a total of 60 days and 24 sessions with his squad before the tournament begins. It was a clear message that the former Chelsea boss would not cave into pleas from clubs to rest or omit players. Five Chelsea players - Madueke, Palmer, Colwill, Chalobah and James - have been selected and could play against Senegal on 10 June before Chelsea's first Club World Cup game in the United States on 16 June. Asked about his players being called up before the squad announcement, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said there is a lack of care for players' welfare. "It is not normal, it is not correct," said Maresca. "I know people say they have money but it is not about money, it is about the health of the players. I don't think people pay attention to that." Kane, 31, was always going to be selected given his role as captain, while Gallagher has had a good season in Spain. But the selection of Bellingham could prove more controversial. The midfielder has postponed surgery on his shoulder until after the Club World Cup, a decision that will see him miss at least the first six weeks of the 2025-26 season. The former Birmingham City midfielder has made 52 appearances for Real Madrid this season and could play up to an extra seven matches at the Club World Cup should the La Liga side reach the final. 25 May:Final Premier League games 28 May:Conference League final: Chelsea v Real Betis 31 May:Champions League final: PSG v Inter Milan 4-10 June:Six-day England camp including games on 7 June and 10 June 11-28 June:U21 European Championship 15 June -13 July:Club World Cup, including Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, plus others 15 June:Bayern play first Club World Cup game 16 June:Chelsea play first game 18 June:Man City & Real Madrid play first games Mid-July:Pre-season matches begin, including overseas tours 9 August:Community Shield 13 August:Uefa Super Cup: Tottenham v Champions League winners 16 August:Start of 2025-26 Premier League season
Saudi Arabia-based Toney earns England recall as Foden misses out
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Ivan Toney Recalled to England Squad as Phil Foden and Manchester United Players Omitted"
Bbc News
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Ivan Toney, the former Brentford striker, has been recalled to the England national team for upcoming matches against Andorra and Senegal. This marks Toney's first call-up since his transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, where he has enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 28 goals in 42 appearances. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has taken notice of Toney's impressive form after initially omitting him from his squad in March. Toney's last appearance for England was in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, where he played a part in the team's journey. The matches against Andorra, a World Cup qualifier on June 7, and a friendly against Senegal on June 10, provide an opportunity for Toney to re-establish himself in the national team setup. Notably, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has also been included in the squad despite impending shoulder surgery, which he will undergo after the Club World Cup, further highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding player welfare and injury management within the national team framework.
The squad announcement has seen several key players missing out, including Manchester City's Phil Foden, who cited off-field issues and an ankle injury as factors affecting his form. Other notable absentees include Manchester United representatives, who have been completely overlooked in this selection, with Marcus Rashford ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has received his first senior call-up, while the selection of players participating in the upcoming Club World Cup has raised questions regarding player welfare. Tuchel has made it clear that he intends to maximize his limited time with the squad as the 2026 World Cup approaches, despite pressure from clubs regarding player fitness. The decision to include players like Bellingham, who will miss part of the upcoming season due to surgery, adds another layer of complexity to Tuchel's selection process, as he balances immediate performance needs with long-term player health and recovery considerations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent news about Ivan Toney's recall to the England national football team is significant for several reasons. This decision, made by head coach Thomas Tuchel, comes after Toney's impressive performance in the Saudi Arabian league, raising questions about player selection and the impact of playing in different leagues on international representation.
Implications of Toney's Recall
Toney's return to the England squad highlights the growing trend of players moving to leagues outside of Europe and still being considered for national teams. His 28 goals for Al-Ahli demonstrate his effectiveness, which seems to have outweighed his previous absence from the squad. This could suggest a shift in perspective from football authorities regarding players' performance in non-European leagues. It may encourage other players considering moves to leagues like the Saudi Pro League, knowing that success can lead to national recognition.
Absence of Notable Players
The exclusion of players like Phil Foden raises eyebrows. Foden's absence might be interpreted as a sign of Tuchel's prioritization of players who are currently in form rather than those who have been high-profile in top European leagues. This could affect Foden's confidence and career trajectory, as he may feel sidelined despite his potential and previous contributions to the team.
Injury Concerns and Squad Dynamics
Jude Bellingham's selection despite his upcoming shoulder surgery also indicates that the coaching staff may be focusing on securing experienced players even when they are not fully fit. This could reflect a strategy to maintain a solid team dynamic, especially with important matches ahead. However, it raises questions about the risk of injuries impacting the team's performance.
Market and Economic Impact
Toney's performance in Saudi Arabia and his recall could influence the perceptions of the Saudi league's competitiveness. If more players gain international recognition after moving to these leagues, it may attract further investments and market interest in Saudi football. This could potentially reshape the football transfer market, affecting the dynamics of player transfers and valuations.
Communicating a Narrative
The article subtly communicates the narrative that success in football can be measured beyond traditional European leagues. It may aim to inspire players in similar situations or leagues, suggesting that the footballing world is evolving. This narrative aligns with the broader trend of globalization in sports, where talent is recognized regardless of geographic location.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The information presented appears to be factual and relevant, focusing on recent events and player performances. The news is likely credible, as it discusses well-known figures and their current situations in the football world. However, the article could be seen as somewhat manipulative in how it frames Toney's success in the context of his move to Saudi Arabia, possibly promoting the league's legitimacy to a wider audience.
In conclusion, this news serves multiple purposes: it informs the public about player selections, reflects changing dynamics in international football, and potentially influences perceptions of non-European leagues. The underlying messages about performance and recognition in different leagues are crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of football.