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The Next Ivan Toney? The Championship Striker Everyone Is Talking About

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The Next Ivan Toney? The Championship Striker Everyone Is Talking About

When QPR snapped up Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers in August, many wondered how the Ivorian would adapt to the step up, especially when you consider that only two years ago he was playing in the ninth tier.

But the 22-year-old striker has wasted no time showing he belongs at this level — and the comparisons to Ivan Toney are to be expected given the path the two players have trodden.

A Flying Start at Loftus Road

Kone has made a bright start to life in the Championship, scoring four goals in six starts for QPR so far this season. And while the excitement around these numbers could be premature, his all-round performances and the way he has adapted to the step up are earning him plenty of plaudits.

He’s quickly become the focal point of QPR’s attack in what has been a strong start to the campaign for the R’s, who sit in sixth place after nine games. The move from Wycombe to West London seems to have been the perfect choice for Kone to hone his skills further.

Last season, he became synonymous for his hold-up play and movement, which has translated seamlessly to his new home and is sure only to improve as the season goes on.

Normal gravy Different gravy #QPR pic.twitter.com/ktaQlWeSMF
— TogetherQPR (@TogetherQPR) October 5, 2025

Shades of Toney

It’s easy to see why people are making the comparison to Ivan Toney. Like Toney in his Brentford days, Kone’s a physical forward who combines power with good instincts. He’s got that same knack for being in the right place when the ball drops in the box, and he isn’t afraid to shoot early.

There’s also the attitude and swagger that Toney had, the type where you will face up to any defender and believe that you can beat him. We saw this same killer instinct when the England man was tearing up the Championship, and it’s what turned him into one of the country’s most complete forwards.

Of course, Kone’s got work to do before he’s in that conversation properly. Toney was a machine for Brentford, scoring 33 goals and grabbing 10 assists in his breakout Championship season.

However, the raw ingredients are definitely there for QPR and their talisman; it’s now about piecing them all together.

Ivan Toney was directly involved in 43 goals in 48 Championship games this season:

⚽️ 33 goals
🅰️ 10 assists

Premier League bound. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Wgy8Fc2EFn
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 29, 2021

What The Future May Hold

QPR will be hoping this early form is just the start. If Kone keeps scoring regularly, it’s easy to imagine Premier League clubs starting to take notice — just like they did with Toney.

Brentford benefited from their promotion, which enticed Toney to stay with the Bees in the Premier League. Should QPR not return to the big time this season, and Kone continue on his trajectory, it seems that a step up would be on the cards next term.

He’s young, he’s improving, and he’s already showing he can make an impact against experienced defenders.

For now, though, Kone is ideally placed to keep QPR in the promotion hunt, while also putting himself in the shop window should any potential suitors come sniffing next year.

He might not be “the next Ivan Toney” just yet — but if he keeps this up, QPR might just have found the Championship’s next big thing.