Newcastle United supporters have mixed emotions about Ivan Toney’s exit after his England call-up. Four years after leaving Tyneside for a pittance, the 26-year-old has earned a place in the Three Lions squad for the first time.
Toney arrived at St James’ Park as a youngster under Steve McClaren but saw his first-team opportunities limited. Just four cameo appearances are all he made in a black-and-white shirt, with most of his time spent out on loan.
Burdened by the demands of returning to the Premier League, Rafa Benitez also neglected the youngster for the more established Dwight Gayle. Since Toney’s exit, only Harry Kane and Mo Salah have scored more goals in English football.
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Toon fans are torn on the decision to offload the striker, with some seeing his sale four years ago as a missed opportunity. However, others prefer to highlight the need to “look forward” rather than berate past mistakes.
After his England call-up was confirmed, this is how Newcastle supporters reacted on social media.
GianfrancoZola: Is the rise of the likes of Mitro and Toney further proof that we had the scouting system in place but not the management team and ownership to develop these players correctly?
@round_phil: We need to move on from old players, we're on a new journey now, let's look forwards not backwards.
@Benjohnthepooty: It happens all the time and you can’t predict the future but I still wince when I see Ivan Toney has scored 17 in 39 apps since last season. Rafa got that one wrong.
@evanpritchard: Imagine a club with both Toney and Mitrovic! #nufc
@Asallsince93: Not only #Nufc should have been patient with Ivan Toney, but everything was set to bring him back when he was scoring for fun with Peterborough. We had a sell-on % that would allow us to sign him on the cheap. Now that he's breaking out, we should splash big bucks to get him back.
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