20th January 2021 Carrow Road, Norwich, Norfolk, England, English Football League Championship Football, Norwich versus Bristol City Todd Cantwell of Norwich City PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12261824 ShaunxBrooks
According to Football League World (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are keeping tabs on Todd Cantwell of Norwich for a summer transfer. The youngster has impressed in the last season in the Premier League and has carried on his form in the Championship this season. Tottenham are said to be another club interested in the 22-year-old.
Leicester have reaped the benefits of snapping up Cengiz Under on a season-long loan deal from Roma in the summer. The Turkish international has already turned in some quality displays, adding some much-needed cutting-edge to the Foxes’ attack. Leicester do have the option of signing him permanently but his long-term future at the King Power Stadium still remains unclear.
Regardless of what the future holds for Under, Leicester entering the market for Todd Cantwell would still make a lot of sense. With Demarai Gray out of contract next summer and Marc Albrighton not getting any younger at 31, the Foxes need to line up some alternatives in the wide attacking areas.
Cantwell went on to play a bit-part role for the Canaries during the 2018-19 season in the Championship as Daniel Farke’s side secured promotion to the Premier League as the outright winners of the second division. The 22-year-old, though, established himself as a key player for Norwich last season following their promotion to the top-flight.
The England U-21 international started 30 times in the PL, with 40 appearances across all competitions last term. He contributed with 7 goals and 2 assists. But that wasn’t enough to save the Canaries from relegation.
Cantwell is at his best when deployed as an inverted midfielder down the left but is also capable of playing on the other flank and through the middle in a No.10 role. Hence, a potential deal for the 22-year-old would also reduce the creative workload on James Maddison, besides providing Brendan Rodgers with another natural wide option.
A versatile midfielder like Cantwell would offer Leicester some valuable cover and quality in the final third. Moving for Cantwell next summer looks like a good decision from Leicester as it would give him more time to hone his skill with regular game time given he is still 22 and has a lot of time in his career.