If Ivan tones up, he can sparkle in the top flight

IVAN Toney is a wanted man after scoring 30 goals for Brentford in the Championship this season. Leicester, West Ham, Everton - even Champions League finalists Chelsea have been linked with a £35m offer for the 25-year-old.

- John Salako

So can the former Northampton player thrive in the Premier League? Absolutely. You just need to look at Ollie Watkins.

He was the last striker off the Brentford production line, and I thought it would take him at least a season to find his feet.

But he’s played 33 games for Aston Villa this year, scoring 13 goals. Ollie’s got a great attitude. Whenever you hear him talk, he appears to be very grounded, with a great work ethic.

That’s crucial. Because no matter how quick or big or strong you are, you will need to be quicker, bigger and stronger. That extra half a yard is the difference between success and failure in the Premier League.

Remember when Gareth Bale joined Spurs from Southampton in 2007? He was struggling badly. He was trying to play as a left-back in the top fight but he was still in a boy’s body. He didn’t have any power or core stability.