Brentford manager Thomas Frank says he is disappointed that Ivan Toney did not make England’s World Cup squad for Qatar 2022.
But he also added that he fully respects Gareth Southgate’s decision not to pick the striker.
On Thursday, Southgate named his 26-man squad for the tournament and was forced to make some tough calls with several star players missing out.
One of the trickier decisions was selecting a back-up No.9 for Three Lions captain Harry Kane, with uncapped Toney one of the favourites to land that spot, having scored eight in 13 Premier League games
But in the end it was Newcastle’s in-form goalscorer Callum Wilson, who himself has six goals in 10 games, who made the cut.
‘I said [to Toney] these coaches, they don’t always take the best decisions, including myself,’ Frank jokingly said in his press conference ahead of Brentford’s trip to Manchester City on Saturday, the Bees’ last game before the World Cup break.
‘No, with a smile on my face, if we look from, all people in the world are biased. So I am biased my way, Gareth is biased his way. So I look from this side of the elephant, he looks from the other side of the elephant.
‘I think Gareth has done an unbelievable job of being the head coach for England, semi-final in a World Cup and so close [at Euro 2020].
‘A penalty shoot-out is like the flip of a coin. Maybe not for England, but for every other nation in the world it’s a flip of a coin to win it.
‘So I think he’s done fantastic [and] I think we should just trust the process.’
Frank signed Toney to Brentford in 2020 and since then he has simply not stopped scoring, with 51 goals in 91 matches across the Premier League and the Championship.
In 2022, only Kane, Son Heung-min and Erling Haaland have found the back of the net more in England’s top-flight.
The 26-year-old was called up by his country for the very first time in the last round of internationals but failed to earn his maiden cap.
‘You can’t find a better striker in form in the country after Harry Kane. It’s impossible,’ Frank added.
‘I don’t think there’s a player in and around the squad who wouldn’t be disappointed with not being selected. It’s about how many hits we can take and move forward.
‘[Toney] has a strong mentality and he will move forward from this.’
MORE : Peter Schmeichel tells Jadon Sancho he ‘hasn’t done enough’ after missing out on England World Cup squad
MORE : Can England make changes to their World Cup squad if players get injured before first game?
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
