There is a very practical logic to the recall.
At his best, Toney gives a side presence in the box, calm under pressure and a target for deliveries. That matters when space disappears and slick combinations stop flowing. In those moments, a well-worked free-kick or corner can decide everything.
The report says Owen Hargreaves linked the decision to an Arsenal-style emphasis on dead-ball quality. With players such as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice capable of putting dangerous service into the area, a striker like Toney becomes more than just a backup centre-forward.
That is where the fit starts to look sensible rather than surprising. Brentford were long known for making set-pieces count, and Toney was central to that threat. If Tuchel wants an alternative route to goal, especially late in tight games, this is a profile worth carrying.
This still does not make Toney the main man. He appears more likely to be a situational weapon than the face of the attack. Hargreaves reportedly went even further, calling him “um dos melhores cobradores do mundo” - high praise for a player who could become vital if knockout football ends in penalties.
That is the real intrigue now. Watch not just whether Toney starts, but when Tuchel turns to him. In tournament football, the specialist on the bench can end up deciding the biggest night.