Brentford striker Ivan Toney says it is a “blessing in disguise” that Rafa Benitez didn’t give him a chance to shine at Newcastle as he prepares for a reunion with the Spaniard this weekend.
Benitez, who is now in charge of Everton, was manager of Newcastle in 2018 when the club decided to sell Toney to Peterborough for around £650,000.
Since then, the striker has rebuilt his career and he scored a record number of goals in the Championship last season as the Bees won promotion.
“It’s about getting that chance and personally I don’t think I got that chance,” Toney told Sky Sports.
“That’s my opinion on it, but others might think different. But it was a blessing in disguise, I came to Peterborough, found my feet again, and I am doing well for myself.
“When he (Benitez) came in I was injured at the time and he kind of said: ‘Put the injured lads at the bottom end’.
“So it was tough to take, but I guess he is the boss, he comes in and does what he wanted to do.”
