Norwich boss Daniel Farke has launched a bizarre attack on Todd Cantwell, who is believed to be a target for Leeds according to the Press Association.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men are reportedly in talks for the Canaries playmaker, with a fee of £15 million being reported by the Press Association.
Cantwell – who scored six Premier League goals last season – was left out of the Norwich squad for Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth.
After full-time, Farke launched an attack on his No.14.
The Pink Un quote him as saying: ‘The same with Todd Cantwell, I love this player, I have supported this player perhaps like no other in this club but the truth is also that his last goal in a league game is pretty long ago and his last assist was exactly 40 games ago, against Newcastle in August 2019.
‘With all respect, with these statistics, let’s be honest I could have played Grant Hanley or Christoph Zimmermann up front and they wouldn’t assist less situations.’
We do not have any idea what’s gone on behind the scenes at Carrow Road.
However, it’s clear through Farke’s continued rhetoric about professionalism and responsibility during his post-match interview that something has occurred.
This verbal assault on Cantwell is bizarre from the German. Should the Englishman end up staying at Carrow Road after the deadline, then their relationship could be severely dented by these comments.
He is also effectively downplaying the abilities of his star player by bringing up his poor form, which could put potential suitors off signing the goalscoring midfielder.
He added: ‘I think some players are capable to deal with it, Max Aarons is a role model in how to deal with it but some players are affected.
‘Of course you would wish that they put this to the side and know their responsibility but obviously some players can’t do this.’
Significantly, the former Borussia Dortmund II coach said that both players were fit and available to take on the Cherries.
There is no denying that Cantwell is an excellent player, and you can see why Bielsa wants him based on his goalscoring displays last term.
However, Farke’s comments are definitely cause for concern and provoke questions marks about the 22-year-old’s character, in all honesty.
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