Ivan Toney will ‘not let England pass’ ahead of Nations League matches and World Cup squad selection | Football news

Ivan Toney says he will not let his chance with England pass by with a World Cup squad less than two months away from being selected.

The Brentford forward has been called up to the first team by manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the Nations League games against Italy and Germany this month.

Toney has never played for England’s youth teams, but since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League, he has caught the eye of the English manager.

It is the realization of a lifelong dream for the striker, who is determined to take advantage of the opportunity he now has to attend the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

“I never doubted it. I completely believe in myself, I feel like I have to keep working hard and things will get so much sweeter when you get the chance,” Toney said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“I’ve never played for any age, I got straight into the senior squad. It’s a great achievement, I’m very proud and I wouldn’t want it to go any other way.

“This is my chance now. I’m excited and confident about it and I’m hungry. I worked for this moment and it’s here now. I won’t let it go. I’ll take it. take it with both hands and make the most of the opportunity I have.

“There’s never been pressure – I don’t think I’ve ever felt pressure in my career so far. It’s more excitement and it’s a privilege to be playing alongside quality players. I’m going with the flow and hopefully making the most of it.

“It’s a huge opportunity to get myself on the plane, but we have to go day by day. Hopefully I’ll have a few minutes with the next two games we have and take my chance. . Hopefully enough to see me join the Squad.”

When asked about what Southgate has told him so far, Toney revealed: “Be yourself, you’re here for a reason and you’re not here to make numbers. Just do what have you here and be yourself.

“Those are the main things he told me to do so I’m sure I’ll do it and hopefully that’s enough to keep me in the World Cup squad.”

Toney previously discussed the sacrifices his family have made for his football career, and revealed how he told them about his England call-up.

“From the early days, my sister used to take me to watch football and do her chores while waiting for me to take me home while my mom and dad were working,” he said.

“My mother played a huge part, sometimes making sure I was eating and not myself. She played her part massively, as did my dad when he took me around the country, even trying it out. challenge here or there, he comes to support me in every match, so does my other sister.

“Everybody has played their part so it’s a little sweeter that I’m sitting here with England’s top team representing the country. It’s not just me who have done this, everyone. around i have played the part and i cannot thank them enough .

“I was driving to practice and the Brentford driver called me. I was running a bit late so I think he was calling about my timekeeping. Then he said ‘I have the honor to tell you. that you’ve been called up to senior England’, and I never had anything to say.

“I’m driving and I wouldn’t say I’ve zoned because it’s not the best thing to do, but I’m thinking ‘wow, I’m really going to play against England’. It doesn’t really register. , I answered gaffer’s questions but it still fails.

“I called my parents right away, we had a family group chat, I video-called everyone and broke the news. They yelled for about 20 minutes, my dad honked his horn anywhere. where he was, they must have thought he was going mad.

“It’s a great moment for my whole family and such a huge achievement to represent my country.”

Jordan Henderson has joined the England squad after recovering from an injury. The Liverpool captain arrived at St George’s Park on Monday night and replaced Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who will have shoulder surgery.

Toney: Hopefully one day I’ll be in Haaland, the shoes of Jesus

Toney, asked if he thinks he will score as many goals as the likes of Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus, hinted that he would like to one day play for them with a turn serving at Manchester City and Arsenal.

“It’s easy to say if I’m on their team, I’ll score. But when you play on teams like them, they’re more dominant in possession of the ball, so there are more chances to score. .

“But you still have to put it behind the net. Until I’m there, we’ll have to see. Until then, I’m not too sure. They have quality players supporting them, so hopefully. I hope one day I’ll be in their position and have the same chance of scoring as Haaland and Jesus.”

Capello: Is England strong enough to win the World Cup?

Meanwhile, Fabio Capello spoke to Sky Sports, giving his views on Southgate as well as England’s chances at the World Cup.

The former England manager has questioned whether the England players are mentally strong enough to lift the trophy.

“I’m really interested in seeing who’s best at the World Cup in Qatar,” he told Sky Sports.

“As a former England manager when I took charge of the team in September, October and November, we were ready to face some of the best teams in the world.

“In March and April, that was true because the material levels were down and then we found it very difficult in June.

“I wanted to test my theory that England are a great team this time of year, so apart from having talented players and a top manager, they can be really competitive and win a big tournament like the World Cup?”

He added: “You say Southgate is under pressure. The only thing I have is doubts in the players’ heads.

“England players feel a sense of responsibility. They can come close to success and then feel that sense of responsibility like a burden on their shoulders.

“If we look at the second half of [Euros] the final against Italy after scoring they stopped playing and what surprised me was they wasted 30 minutes. They wasted their time and didn’t want to play anymore, so they didn’t. It seems to be a mental problem. It is a physical or mental problem.

“That’s what we will find out after the World Cup in Qatar.”

England’s World Cup warm-up schedule

England are preparing for Nations League matches this month. The Three Lions face Italy away on Friday 23 September at 19:45, before hosting Germany at 7:45 on Monday 26 September.

England’s World Cup Group B fixtures

November 21: Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan) – kick off 1pm

November 25: USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor) – kick off at 7pm

November 29: Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan) – kick off at 7pm

Choose your starting England team for the 2022 World Cup

Gareth Southgate has announced his final squad ahead of the World Cup – but who will be your starting line-up?

What would your 11th England start look like if the World Cup started today and all the players were present? Use our interactive selector to select your team below, screenshot your selections and share on Twitter @SkyFootball.