Marcus Bent backs Ivan Toney for Everton move
Marcus Bent believes Everton should snap up Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window after a sensational season in the Championship.
Toney, 25, set a record on Saturday with a goal against Bristol City that brought up his 31st league goal of the season, a record in the Championship. [Sky Bet Championship – Twitter]
The Athletic reported last week that Everton are set to make a bid for him as soon as Brentford’s play-off campaign concludes.
Speaking to Football FanCast, ex-Blues forward Bent claimed a move makes sense for club and player.
“That’s quite a big one – he’s been quality in the Championship and showed that he’s got the talent,” he said.
“You don’t need to start in the Premier League to progress your career, so I think that’s a good one for Everton. Will he start? He’ll have to earn his place.
“But I think he could go up there, but him going to Everton he’s going to be away from his family again, but that’s football and I’m sure he can cope with that.”
Expensive back-up?
We’re pretty big on Toney, in that he would provide valuable back-up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has had to shoulder most of the attacking burden for Everton.
When he’s absent we struggle to replace his physical presence at the top of the pitch.
Toney would give us that and a goal threat, though there is no guarantee that he would hit the heights he has in the Championship for Brentford and League One for Peterborough United last season.
But as an English centre-forward who can score a tonne of goals, he will come at a big cost.
Would we be prepared to splash out on a sub striker when we have more pressing areas to address, like on the wings or in defence?
That remains to be seen, but as back-up forwards goes Toney would be one of the best around.
In other Everton news, View: Blues’ Euro assault takes hit as PL rivals issue major update ahead of clash.
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