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Saudi-based Ivan Toney recalled to England squad by Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel insists Ivan Toney “deserves” his surprise recall for the forthcoming internationals against Andorra and Senegal, a first call-up for the 29-year-old since he joined ֱn club Al-Ahli. (X/@AlAhliFC)
England manager Thomas Tuchel insists Ivan Toney “deserves” his surprise recall for the forthcoming internationals against Andorra and Senegal, a first call-up for the 29-year-old since he joined ֱn club Al-Ahli. (X/@AlAhliFC)
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Updated 23 May 2025

Saudi-based Ivan Toney recalled to England squad by Tuchel

Saudi-based Ivan Toney recalled to England squad by Tuchel
  • Toney, who has scored 22 goals in 29 Pro League games for the Saudi champions, made the last of his six England appearances in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain

LONDON: England manager Thomas Tuchel insists Ivan Toney “deserves” his surprise recall for the forthcoming internationals against Andorra and Senegal.
It is a first call-up for the 29-year-old since he left Brentford to join ֱn club Al-Ahli last August.
Toney, who has scored 22 goals in 29 Pro League games for the Saudi champions, made the last of his six England appearances in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
“Ivan deserves to be with us, I think, and I’m convinced because he scored over 20 goals this season,” Tuchel said.
“He won a major title with the Asian Champions League, in goals and assists made a huge contribution.
“I thought, why not bring him over and let him travel to us? It’s a good occasion now to also test new players, see new players, meet Ivan first and see him in the environment.”
Tuchel has also given a first senior call-up to Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The Sierra Leone-born Chalobah has played 32 times for Chelsea this season as they chase Champions League qualification and target victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday.
“He played a fantastic second half of the season with Chelsea. He is very, very consistent on a very high level,” Tuchel said.
Manchester City star Phil Foden was left out just days after opening up about his mental health struggles.
Foden, who is struggling with an ankle injury, revealed his mental state has suffered throughout a difficult season for the forward.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was selected despite reports that he needs surgery on a shoulder problem after the Club World Cup.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher are among eight players in the squad who will also be involved in the Club World Cup in the United States.
England face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier in Barcelona on June 7 before a friendly with Senegal in Nottingham three days later.
The Club World Cup starts just five days after England’s second game of the international break.
“I could see the reasons for the players who go to the Club World Cup to maybe leave a bit earlier, to maybe change the squad,” Tuchel said.
“We had a good discussion over if we nominate the squad without Club World Cup players.
“Very quickly we understood that it’s also important for us. It’s only one year to go until the World Cup.
“So why send players away? We want to cherish and worship every day that we have together, and what signal will be sent to the group to send players away?“
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka are back in the international fold after injuries ruled them out of England’s wins over Albania and Latvia in World Cup qualifiers in March.
There was no place again for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, with Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke and West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen also left out.


Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Warriors in NBA Cup

Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Warriors in NBA Cup
Updated 14 sec ago

Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Warriors in NBA Cup

Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Warriors in NBA Cup

Nikola Jokic had 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Jamal Murray finished with 23 points and eight assists, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the short-handed Golden State Warriors 129-104 in the West Group C NBA Cup play on Friday night.

Aaron Gordon contributed 18 points, Jonas Valanciunas finished with 16 points, Christian Braun had 12 and Peyton Watson 10 for Denver, which is 1-1 in pool play.

Golden State played without Steph Curry for the second straight game due to an illness but got Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III back after a one-game absence. Al Horford (left foot) also didn’t play.

Green had 17 points and made a season-high five 3-pointers while Butler finished with 16 points. Quinten Post scored 14 points, Will Richard had 12 points and Pat Spencer 10 for the Warriors, who played their first NBA Cup game.

Green hit a 3-pointer to open the game to give Golden State the early lead, but that was the last time it was in front.

The Nuggets went up by 14 late in the first quarter before the Warriors made a run. They cut the deficit to 11 after the first and scored the first 10 points of the second to get within 32-31.

Denver responded with a flurry to take back control. Murray hit two 3-pointers, Valanciunas drained his first from deep, made a turnaround hook and then capped a 19-3 run with another 3-pointer that gave the Nuggets a 51-34 lead.

Murray kept the offense humming with two more from behind the arc on his way to 16 points in the period. Denver was ahead by as much as 19 before taking a 66-49 advantage into halftime.

Green tried to keep Golden State close with two more 3-pointers to get within 71-60 but the Nuggets again opened the advantage.

Jokic hit a cutting layup, Gordon threw down a thunderous dunk and Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a jumper to make it 83-66. Denver closed the period strong to lead 99-77 heading into the fourth and led by as much as 28 in the final 12 minutes.