Who is Todd Cantwell? The Norwich star wanted by Tottenham and Leeds

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
3 min read

Who is Todd Cantwell? The Norwich star wanted by Tottenham and Leeds — © ProShots

Norwich City currently have two of the most wanted men in the Championship in Emiliano Buendia and Todd Cantwell.

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FootballTransfers previously detailed transfer news surrounding Buendia, who has been strongly linked with Arsenal and Leeds United for a potential move this summer.

Now, we look at his team-mate Cantwell, another player who has arguably outgrown the Championship, and who will likely be playing in the Premier League next season whether Norwich get promoted or not.

What position does Todd Cantwell play in?

Cantwell primarily plays as a left winger for Norwich, but can also play on the right-hand side.

How good is Todd Cantwell?

Cantwell’s burgeoning reputation only increased during his debut season in the Premier League when Norwich gained promotion ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Though his numbers were solid if not spectacular, his return of six goals and two assists in 30 appearances was decent for a first timer in the top flight – even if his assist record could be doing with a boost.

What is intriguing about Cantwell is that you almost have to watch him to determine how good he is, as it is his grace in possession, command of the ball and dribbling ability which is the most impressive aspects of his game.

He exudes confidence now that he is 23, and has an Adam Lallana-esque way of slowing the game down to match his desired tempo before eventually bursting into life. There are definite similarities in the way the pair move, even if they play different roles for their respective clubs.

“At one point, two of them had Todd up against the line and you could see them thinking, ‘Gotcha!’” Cantwell’s former youth coach Gary Cockaday told The Athletic

“Todd looked at one of them in the eye, put his toe under the ball, flicked it back over his head, turned and he was gone. All without looking at the ball.

“He did things every week that were just special. It was God-given. No one taught it. I always believed if you had someone like that, don’t change them or make them conform.”

Thought quite slight, Cantwell has worked on his aggression and physique more over the past few years and can now be expected to mix things up with rough and ready defenders.

What clubs are interested in Todd Cantwell?

Tottenham have a long-standing interest in Cantwell even back to last year when he was plying his trade in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old ultimately stayed with Norwich and Tottenham went on to sign Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid, but with no permanent move looking likely for the Welshman, that would open up a spot for another winger.

Last summer, Leeds reportedly tabled a £15 million bid for Cantwell only for Norwich to reject it, which resulted in Marcelo Bielsa turning his attentions to Raphinha.

Raphinha has been linked with a move away from Leeds after impressing, though, and if he were to leave Elland Road then Leeds could reignite their interest in Cantwell as a potential replacement.

Newcastle are interested, too, but any hope they have of trying to sign him will certainly depend on whether they remain in the Premier League, especially when it is looking likely that Norwich will earn promotion.