Toney: Saudi Pro League rivals Premier League; Al Ahli near top four

Ivan Toney, the England striker now playing for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, has defended the quality of the Saudi Pro League and argued his club would challenge for a top-four finish if placed in the English Premier League. Speaking about his first season in the Gulf, Toney highlighted recent team and league successes while acknowledging the debate over whether the Saudi competition can match Europe’s elite.

Toney, who left Brentford for Al Ahli in August 2024, has been a prominent figure in the club’s recent run of form, helping them win the AFC Champions League in May in front of some 60,000 fans in Jeddah and contributing in domestic cup competitions. He scored in high-profile fixtures, including converting one of his side’s penalties in a Saudi Super Cup shootout victory over Al Nassr after a 2-2 draw. Reports differ on his season total, with one account listing 30 goals, 23 of them in league play, and other reports crediting him with 35 goals across competitions. Toney himself told The Guardian that the Saudi Pro League is on a par with the Premier League, saying Al Ahli would be "close to the top four" if competing in England.

Toney also pointed to the continent-wide progress...