Share this @internewscast.com

Ivan Toney has revealed how he has been punishing himself during his time away from football and even admitted to falling out of love with the sport.  

The Brentford striker was suspended by the Football Association after admitting to 232 breaches of their gambling rules but will make his first-team comeback this month. 

The 27-year-old’s ban will end on January 16, meaning Toney will be available for Brentford’s next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, set to take place on January 20.

He told The Mirror about how he would ‘punish’ himself during his time away from the sport and even admitted to falling out of love with the game before being integrated back into the senior set-up.

Ivan Toney has revealed how he has been punishing himself during his time away from football and even admitted to falling out of love with the sport

Ivan Toney has revealed how he has been punishing himself during his time away from football and even admitted to falling out of love with the sport 

Ivan Toney is set to return to competitive football on January 17 after his eight-month ban

Ivan Toney is set to return to competitive football on January 17 after his eight-month ban

Chelsea and Arsenal have both been linked with moves for the Brentford striker

Chelsea and Arsenal have both been linked with moves for the Brentford striker 

Speaking to The Mirror, Toney said: ‘I didn’t watch football. I didn’t watch football for a while. In a way I punished myself. There was a stage I probably did fall out of love with football. It is what it is, the situation is done.’ 

Toney is due to return to competitive football on January 17 following his eight-month suspension for betting offences. However, he’s been training with the first XI to build-up his fitness and playing with the club’s B team to get some minutes under his belt. 

The 27-year-old, who has scored 63 goals for Brentford in 111 appearances since joining in 2020, hit the headlines on Saturday after netting three goals for the club’s B team in their impressive 5-1 victory over Southampton‘s U23s. 

The star striker took just four minutes to find the back of the net after converting Kyreece Lisbie’s delivery at the near post and then notched his second from a free-kick.

Toney rounded off his hat-trick on 55 minutes after turning home a fine cross before going on to register an assist – teeing up Iwan Morgan to score Brentford’s fourth of the afternoon. 

Toney’s performance on Saturday garnered a lot of attention – especially from the Premier League club that are looking to sign him in the January transfer window. 

Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Toney. However, both clubs are reluctant to pay the ‘£100m price tag’ Brentford have attacked to the striker – according to reports. 

Mail Sport’s chief football writer Sami Mokbel recently stated that the Gunners could struggle to seal a deal considering the FFP constraints clubs around the Premier League are subject too.

Mikel Arteta said it is 'unrealistic' to think they would sign a new striker in the January window

Mikel Arteta said it is ‘unrealistic’ to think they would sign a new striker in the January window

He said: ‘Arsenal are very, very interested. But, it’s expensive in January. Particularly when you consider Arsenal spent close to £200m in the summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and obviously they loaned David Raya which will turn into a permanent deal.

‘So, when you consider FFP [Financial Fair Play] and how much you can spend around those regulations, it will be a very difficult deal to do. It’s almost an impossible deal to do in January without outgoings.

‘Chris alluded to it, but having an out-and-out striker is a glaring void that they have in their armoury. Eddie Nketiah played against Fulham yesterday but I think they certainly need an upgrade.’

Additionally, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it is ‘unrealistic’ to think they would sign a new striker in the January transfer window. Instead, he wants to focus on improving the players he has.  

Speaking about Arsenal’s need for a new striker, Arteta said: ‘At the moment it does not look realistic [that Arsenal will sign a striker in the January transfer window].’

He went on to add: ‘What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have.

‘One thing is what we need and another is what we can do. What we need to do now is stick behind those players, give them some love, train them and make sure they visualise something very different to what is actually happening now. They’ve done it. We’re not going to reinvent the wheel, because they’ve done it.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, with a show every Monday and Thursday this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Additionally, Thomas Frank made it clear Brentford would settle for nothing less than an exceptional offer for Toney. He said: ‘The very short answer is yes.

‘He is a Brentford player. He is here, we miss a few offensive players and I cannot see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time.

‘It is not for me to discuss (an offer), but if I could ever recommend one, it would need to be an unbelievable price, so he will stay here.’

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Juventus Targets Tottenham Standout in £17m Deal and Eyes Former Arsenal Captain Granit Xhaka for Midfield Reinforcement

Juventus are reportedly lining up moves for both Granit Xhaka and one…

At 40, Thiago Silva continues to lead Fluminense, gearing up to face his former team Chelsea in the Club World Cup semi-final, with his supportive wife cheering from the sidelines.

As Thiago Silva addressed the Chelsea fans in April 2024 to inform…

Enzo Maresca Discloses Decision-Maker Behind Noni Madueke’s Departure from Chelsea as He Nears £52 Million Transfer to Arsenal

Enzo Maresca has revealed who was behind the decision to allow Noni…

Calum Crowe Suggests Jamie Vardy, 38, Would Outshine Rangers’ Current Strikers

When Rangers broke their club transfer record and forked out just over…

England Prepares for Pivotal Match Against the Netherlands in Sarina Wiegman Derby, Facing a Tough Test with No Room for Error in Euros Title Defense

The Sarina Wiegman derby takes centre stage this evening and the stakes…

Christian Pulisic Launches Second ‘Stomping Grounds’ Center to Support Youth in Need

Christian Pulisic is channeling his passion for soccer into meaningful action with…

Marc Cucurella Shares Chelsea’s Strategy for PSG Clash and His Anticipation for Facing Ousmane Dembele Again

Observe Ousmane Dembele during Chelsea’s short goal kicks on Sunday night. The…

Ajax Unveils 2025/26 Aquatic Away Kit in Tribute to Amsterdam’s Heritage

As Amsterdam marks its 750th anniversary, Ajax is paying tribute to the…

“Sporting President Declares ‘No One is Above the Club’ Following Viktor Gyokeres’s Absence from Training Amid Arsenal Interest”

It’s been another crazy day in the world of Viktor Gyokeres. The…