Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor expressed his preference for seeing Brentford striker Ivan Toney join either Chelsea or Tottenham. Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT, envisioned the 27-year-old making an impact, particularly at Stamford Bridge.
The ongoing speculation links Chelsea heavily with Ivan Toney, with reports suggesting Brentford’s valuation at £100 million if a deal were to materialize in January. Despite this, Brentford plans to retain Toney until the summer.
Alongside Ivan Toney, Napoli’s Osimhen also stands as potential target for Chelsea in their quest to bolster their striking options. Agbonlahor confidently advocated for Toney’s acquisition by Chelsea, highlighting the potential impact he could have on the team.
Agbonlahor Emphasizes Ivan Toney’s Goal-Scoring Ability
During his talkSPORT appearance, Agbonlahor remarked,
“Ivan Toney, for me, Spurs or Chelsea. If Chelsea can work a deal, maybe a 10-year contract, they look to do their contracts long, but I could see him at Chelsea”.
He emphasized Ivan Toney’s goal-scoring prowess, referring to his impressive record of 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for Brentford last season.
While acknowledging Toney’s skills, Agbonlahor also noted the challenges of transitioning to a team like Chelsea, where opponents often adopt a defensive approach. He suggested that Toney might encounter fewer opportunities in such a setup despite his capabilities.
However, Agbonlahor praised Toney’s qualities. He described him as an ideal Premier League center-forward due to his strength and clinical abilities, expressing confidence in his potential success at Chelsea.
As discussions continue regarding Ivan Toney’s possible move, Chelsea’s reliance on Nicolas Jackson until January remains a possibility. Jackson notably contributed crucial goals in Chelsea’s recent fixtures. He scored against Manchester City and secured a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.
The looming uncertainty about Chelsea’s transfer decisions means Mauricio Pochettino might need to rely on Jackson until January. Despite this, Agbonlahor’s backing for Toney’s transfer to Chelsea continues, underscoring the potential impact of such a move for Chelsea.
