Ivan Toney: The greatest penalty taker in football

Ivan Toney has a remarkable ability to keep himself in the headlines, sometimes for nefarious reasons like his recent gambling ban, but mostly for his incredibly cool nature under pressure. At this stage in his career, it’s safe to say, Ivan Toney is the best penalty-taker in football.

For anyone watching England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, Ivan Toney’s no-look penalty will have been sure to leave an impression. In the most pressurised environment, Toney stared Jan Sommer down and stroked the ball into the bottom corner, without even looking at it!

Per GiveMeSport, Ivan Toney’s penalty record across his career is 30 scored to just two missed, with a success rate of 93%, nearly 20% higher than the average of 75%, per PlayToday.

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Toney’s success rate is not the only thing unique about his penalty-taking, with the Brentford striker adopting an unusual technique involving a shortened run-up, unlike the traditional long, aggressive run-up, or the in vogue stutter-step approach, but why?

Following England’s victory over Switzerland, Toney told reporters his technique helps him to keep penalties simple, saying, “I just do what I always do… step up and roll it into the net,” per The Daily Mail.

The former Newcastle and Northampton striker continued by explaining his no-look approach, saying, “I never look at the ball. People might think it’s strange but it’s my routine.” Tough to argue with that!

Toney used his gambling ban as an opportunity to perfect his craft, working with Bob Jeffrey, a goalkeeping director at Tennessee Soccer Club in Nashville, Tennessee. Jeffrey told The Times, “It was fascinating to watch, because in practice he takes them from 13 yards, not 12 yards.”

When Jeffrey asked Toney why he practiced his spot kicks from further back, the England man answered, “Well, when it comes to a game, and I take them from 12 yards, the goal looks bigger.”

Whilst we believe Toney is the best penalty taker around, it’s fair to ask who the competition is. According to GiveMeSport’s rankings, they actually have Toney second, with England teammate Cole Palmer atop their rankings, with the Chelsea playmaker scoring 14 and missing none in his young career. Palmer’s claim to the throne is a strong one, and reassuring for England fans should the Three Lions reach another shootout!

Toney, Palmer, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire (watch the Euro 2020 penalty shootout), all of these players have a claim to be the greatest penalty taker in the world, but who would you want to step up to the spot in the biggest moment? Let us know in the comments!

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