Ivan Toney is “throwing away his England career” by making a move to the Saudi Pro League, claims former Three Lions international Chris Sutton.
The forward made headlines last month when he swapped Brentford for Al-Ahli, in a reported £40m move on a four-year contract.
Toney, who has been considered by many as the natural understudy to Harry Kane as England’s number nine, was a member of the squad that finished second at UEFA Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate earlier this year.
But Sutton, who earned a solitary Three Lions cap while at Blackburn Rovers in 1997, thinks the attacker has torpedoed his long-term prospects with the national team.
“We don’t need to beat around the bush here,” he told casinoapps.com. “Everyone knows why Saudi Arabia is an attractive proposition for footballers these days.
“I think it’s a shame. By moving to the Saudi Pro League at 28, you have to think that he’s throwing away his England career.
“We didn’t see much of him at the Euros, but when he was involved, he looked good in those cameos.
“He has demonstrated that he can play at the top level over the last few years.”
Sutton further highlighted that several players have made the move to Saudi Arabia in recent years, only to curtail their stay and return to Europe after struggling to settle.
“Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener,” he added. “We saw Jota move from Celtic to Saudi for a huge fee.
“He’s come back with his tail between his legs this summer and joined Rennes in France.
“If I was Toney, it would be a move I was looking at towards the end of my career. Going to Saudi in your prime is a waste of the talent he has.
“Go there at the end of your career, go in your late thirties, but not in your prime.”
Toney scored four times in 17 Premier League appearances last term after serving a ban for betting offences.
He has won six caps for England, including five this year and three at Euro 2024, including off the bench in the final.
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