Todd Cantwell makes Dean Smith claim as he discusses end to Norwich City career
Latest Aston Villa news as former transfer target Todd Cantwell, who could have replaced Jack Grealish at Villa Park, talks about Dean Smith and Norwich City
Former Aston Villa transfer target Todd Cantwell has commented on Dean Smith while discussing the end of his Norwich City career.
Cantwell was linked with Villa in the summer of 2021, seen as a potential replacement for Jack Grealish following his £100 million move to Manchester City. A move never materialised, and he stayed at Norwich City for another two years.
When Grealish left and Cantwell was linked, Smith was the manager at Villa. A few months later, the pair did end up working together, as Smith became Norwich manager in November 2021. Cantwell has now given his thoughts on Smith, saying he wasn't going to "get the best out of him" on the football pitch.
READ MORE: Simon Jordan poses crucial David Moyes question ahead of Aston Villa clash
READ MORE: Aston Villa man responds to Sweden statement after Brussels attack
He added: "My time at Norwich sort of fizzled into a bad place really," Cantwell told The Beautiful Game podcast. "Dean Smith came in and he wasn't the manager that was going to get the best out of me like the way Daniel played.
"I felt like everything had been stripped. There was no respect for me any more. It was like you were a new signing who they signed on a free and if it didn't work out then no problem.
"It wasn't 'this lad has come through the academy, dedicated his life to this club and won two Championship titles', it was just 'Todd's different. We can treat him like that'."
Cantwell joined Rangers in January this year, and has scored six goals in 20 appearances there from midfield. He played under ex-Villa assistant Michael Beale, until he was dismissed earlier this month.