For Newcastle United, Ivan Toney’s England call-up is a jarring reminder of what might have been.
The Magpies had Toney on their books for three years, failing to nurture his potential as he featured just twice as a substitute for the first team.
It looks like a major oversight given his improvement since but is probably symptomatic of the way the club was run at the time.
Toney was first spotted by Chief Scout Graham Carr at Northampton and signed in 2015. He made two substitute appearances but spent most of that time out on loan at clubs including Barnsley, Shrewsbury and Wigan, before Newcastle eventually sold him to Peterborough United for just £650,000 three years later.
A threadbare set-up at Newcastle at the time did not include a loan manager or a director of football and Rafa Benitez – who was manager – has claimed nobody told him of Toney’s potential or that he would have the ability to impact the first team if given the opportunity to do so.
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“It’s a difficult one because every situation and every individual’s career path is different,” Howe said.
“I’d love to think that wouldn’t happen now. That’s not a criticism of anyone at that time and why Ivan left. I don’t know. When you watch him play now and see his attributes and what he can bring to his team, he’s an outstanding player. The call-up is a great thing for people that go to the lower leagues and gives them hope that it’s not the end of their dreams. He’s had to work his way back up and he’s done incredibly well.”
Toney’s call-up is bad news for Callum Wilson, who had been targeting an England recall in time for the Qatar World Cup. But injuries meant he was never a consideration for the Three Lions squad.
Howe does not believe that is the end of the story for Wilson, who should be back in time for the fixtures after the international break.
England 28-man squad for friendlies vs Italy and Germany
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pope, Ramsdale
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Guehi, James, Maguire, Shaw, Stones, Tomori, Trippier, Walker
Midfielders: Bellingham, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Abraham, Bowen, Foden, Grealish, Kane, Saka, Sterling, Toney
“Never try to predict what will happen in the future and never write off Callum Wilson, his mindset is incredible,” he said. “I don’t think his World Cup chance is gone, and I don’t think Callum believes so either. He will want to get back as quickly as possible and score goals.”
Howe takes on old club Bournemouth on Saturday targeting a much-needed victory.
Newcastle have played well this season and are evolving as a team that wants to press and set the tempo in games. But they have just a single win this season and three points against Bournemouth is a must. They expect key man Bruno Guimaraes to return, although Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are expected to miss out again.
“They are big players and we need them back in our team,” Howe said.
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