Ivan Toney spoke with the media for the first time since being banned from gambling about his upcoming transfers and his allegiances, with Liverpool being his club but also mentioning Arsenal.
Ivan Toney, a suspended Brentford player, has declared that he is “a Liverpool boy at heart” and that he admires Arsenal.
Toney has come out in public for the first time since being penalized by the FA earlier this year; he won’t be eligible to play in the Premier League again until January owing to an eight-month gambling ban.
The 27-year-old discussed a wide range of subjects during his appearance on Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO podcast, including what comes when he returns to the pitch.
Before discussing his partisanships, he confessed that he wanted to play for “a big club” and be “fighting for trophies.” I’ve been a Liverpool supporter my entire life, but I’ve also always enjoyed Arsenal, Toney said to Bartlett.
I’ve enjoyed following Arsenal. Kind of how fervent the supporters are is based on how they play. But I do support Liverpool and am a true Liverpool kid.
Although I believe everyone aspires to play at the top of the tree, my job is to just continue working hard and to perform well when I get the opportunity to do so during games.
“And not that Brentford aren’t there, but I feel like everyone wants to play for a major club, compete for trophies, and do things of this nature.
“If the opportunity were to arise, obviously without further investigation, I feel like sure – and the manager is aware that I aspire to play at the greatest level – and whenever that moment comes, so be it.
My time at Brentford has been wonderful, arguably the greatest of my professional life. If I move, I want the new club I join to be the correct one.
Bartlett, a fan of Manchester United, then made a joke: “Anything about Manchester United, Ivan?” Toney retorted, “I like watching United a lot when Berbatov was there. I liked [Dimitar] Berbatov when he was there.
Bartlett continued, “We do actually need a striker, so I’ve got a contract here that Erik and Richard Arnold have given me,” drawing a chuckle from Toney.
