Ivan Toney believes Thomas Tuchel has seen his true character out in the United States after clear-the-air talks amid the England manager’s criticism of the striker this time last year.
Tuchel was not enamoured by Toney’s ‘level of training and level of commitment’ during the June friendlies in 2025 and had not picked him again until a shock call-up for the World Cup.
That was one of the headline decisions of Tuchel’s selection, with the Al-Ahli man content in his role as an impact player off the bench as he pushes for minutes when facing Panama in New York on Saturday.
‘I know I’m not going to play every game; not going to get a lot of minutes, but I’ll still be training well, smiling,’ said Toney on the back of scoring 72 goals in two seasons.
‘I’m sure there are some players in other camps that might be a bit moody and bring the mood down. But that’s never how I am.
‘Maybe miscommunication (with Tuchel) played a part and that’s why we cleared the air. We’re on the same path now and things are sorted.
England forward Ivan Toney has revealed details of clear-the-air talks with Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel questioned Toney’s ‘training level and commitment’ in 2025 and had not picked him until the World Cup
‘I think it was just more of because he doesn’t really know me as a person. It’s speaking more and diving deeper into what I’m about and what he’s about.
‘He got good feedback on me from other players and other people not in football but outside the game. And I think now he’s starting to see the real me. Hopefully he’s pleased with me being here.’
Tuchel has been definitive with each member of the squad about their specific role within the group at this World Cup and was honest with Toney about expectations. The 30-year-old has netted two hat-tricks in behind-closed-doors friendlies in recent weeks.
‘It’s better because going into a tournament not knowing where you stand is going to be frustrating,’ Toney said. ‘He told me what my situation was. I’ve been here before, been on the bench and been scrambling to try and get on the pitch.
‘The prime example was when I was at Peterborough United. I didn’t play for the first nine games and the players in the team were playing well. I waited for my chance and managed to take it and thankfully scored a good amount of goals.
‘You just have to be ready for your chance and take it. If it comes I’ll try and do what I do best which is score goals and help the team.’
Toney insisted that he is not only in America to take penalties – but did joke that his eldest son, Ivan Jnr, is now more starstruck by other England stars than his illustrious father.
‘The family came over, my son is starting to get into football a lot more,’ he added. ‘He’s starting to kill me a bit. He’s saying, “Why am I coming all this way and you’re not playing”. It’s hard to respond to that!
‘After the game, it was first time he’s seen me and I went to give him a big hug. He brushed me aside and said, “Where’s Saka? Where’s Dec?” I miss you too, boy!’
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