Ivan Toney Says Al-Ahli Could Compete for Premier League Top Four
Ivan Toney has never been one to shy away from bold statements, and his latest comments are no exception. Since making the move from Brentford to Saudi Arabia just over a year ago, the England striker has been the subject of constant debate. Many wondered whether leaving the Premier League at the peak of his career was the right choice. But Toney has doubled down, not only defending his decision but going as far as to claim that his current club, Al-Ahli, would be pushing for a top-four finish if they were in England’s top flight.
Speaking from Jeddah, where the heat regularly soars beyond 40 degrees, Toney explained that adapting to life in the Saudi Pro League has been a challenge, both on and off the pitch. He joked that playing football there feels like stepping into a sauna, and because of that, the game is played in bursts of intensity, with natural slowdowns to manage the conditions. But despite the adjustment, he has thrived. In just 48 appearances, he has scored 35 goals, firing Al-Ahli to their first-ever Asian Champions League title and helping them add the Saudi Super Cup to their collection.
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Alongside stars like Riyad Mahrez and previously Roberto Firmino, Toney’s performances have been nothing short of impressive. Last season alone, he netted 23 goals in the league—finishing just behind Cristiano Ronaldo, and ahead of Karim Benzema in the scoring charts. He admits he could have scored more but views finishing as second-top scorer in a completely new environment as an achievement. Now, he’s setting his sights on becoming the league’s leading marksman this season, a goal he believes will push Al-Ahli closer to reclaiming the domestic title they last won in 2016.
His comments about the league’s quality have stirred discussion. “For me, it’s on a par with the Premier League,” Toney said. He even pointed to Al-Hilal’s recent 4–3 win over Manchester City at the Club World Cup as proof that Saudi teams can compete at the highest level. While critics argue that the league lacks crowds and global recognition, Toney insists the quality on the pitch is what matters. He stressed that players in Saudi Arabia are not as well-known, but many have the ability to perform in Europe’s top leagues.
Despite his success abroad, his move hasn’t boosted his England career. Since transferring, his international appearances have slowed, with Gareth Southgate’s successor, Thomas Tuchel, leaving him out of recent qualifiers. Still, Toney hasn’t given up hope. He believes if he keeps scoring, he will give himself the best chance of making the squad for next year’s World Cup.
At 29, Toney says he doesn’t miss the Premier League but keeps an eye on Brentford, a club he still respects deeply. He also hinted that other players are curious about the Saudi project, and he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it if they feel it suits them. For now, he remains focused on Al-Ahli—and on proving that the Saudi Pro League deserves far more credit than it gets.
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