Brentford striker Ivan Toney does not get the respect he deserves, says journalist Dean Jones.

The 26-year-old, who was linked to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea during the summer transfer window, has made an excellent start to the season, and Jones feels he should be appreciated more.

GiveMeSport The Verdict

How has Toney been performing?

Exceptionally well. Toney recently bagged a hat-trick against Leeds United, taking his tally of goals this term to five in six league games.

The above comes after the £31,000-a-week Englishman reportedly attracted interest from both Manchester United and Chelsea last month.

As per the Daily Mirror, the two Premier League heavyweights, as well as Everton, considered making moves for Toney.

To the relief of supporters at the Gtech Community Stadium and Thomas Frank, though, no bids for their talisman were made in the end.

What has Jones said about Toney?

Jones thinks Toney deserves way more respect after some scoffed at the rumours linking him to United and Chelsea.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: "He deserves more respect. I don't think that he gets what he deserves and he's probably underrated by a lot of people.

"There was a lot of laughing really and mocking when both United and Chelsea were linked with him in the market, and there was laughing, too, when you talk about the fact he's valued at £50m."

Is Toney underrated?

He is, simply put. The way Toney has quickly adapted to the English top flight probably warrants more plaudits.

Last season, which was the former Newcastle man's first real campaign in the Premier League, he managed to score 12 goals in 33 outings.

While it does feel like Toney is a bit underrated, he did not go completely under the radar last term, with The Guardian's Ed Aarons describing him as "outstanding". Still, you cannot help but feel that he deserves more appreciation, which he could get as the months go on.

Having already scored almost half the amount of league goals he managed last season, Toney has a great chance of registering at least 15 strikes, which would surely not go unnoticed.

A potential England call-up, which looks more than possible with the way he is playing right now, would also bring more attention to Toney.

Whether the above happens or not, though, the Brentford star certainly deserves credit for what he has managed to achieve in west London so far.