It doesn’t look like any clubs are making a big push to sign Ivan Toni from Brentford this summer. I think it will heat up soon, but I wonder if there is another reason why Chelsea and other interested clubs haven’t yet signed him.
Chelsea have been interested in Tony for quite some time and were trying to approach him before he was suspended. I’m sure there are elements of that that will put some clubs off.
His price was another issue, and perhaps his age as well, but we’ve heard he could be signed for £40m this summer, which I think is a fair price for a striker of his stature.
I said before that Chelsea need his profile in this squad. We don’t have that player. In the England game on Sunday, Tony showed exactly what he brings. In short, he is an outlet, he is a possession keeper, he is a physical nuisance to defenders. He harasses defenders, he wins important fouls, he wins important duels. That’s what we need in our squad.
Before we even mention his significant experience, his Premier League experience and now his international experience, he’s got a lot going for him.
He came on when England really needed him to help and he did exactly that, setting up Harry Kane to cause real problems for Slovakia and doing far more than Kane did all game (aside from the goal he couldn’t miss).
Tony runs to get the ball but also gets into the box at the right time. Chelsea should do everything they can to keep him away unless there is a deeper reason that we don’t know about. And it shouldn’t be because of his age! Maybe it’s an attitude issue, who knows. But remember, outside of Chelsea fans, Diego Costa wasn’t much of a fan… ..
