Chris Sutton makes Dele Alli comparison with Rangers transfer target Todd Cantwell
Chris Sutton has likened Rangers transfer target Todd Cantwell to Dele Alli, stating both players have flattered to deceive after bursting onto the scene as teenagers.
The Gers are among the “frontrunners” to sign the Norwich City playmaker this month after manager David Wagner announced his side would not stop the 24-year-old from leaving the club this month. [BBC Sport]
Speaking on Scottish Football Extra on BT Sport (Friday 13 January), pundit Sutton was quick to draw comparisons between Cantwell and the fall from grace of former PFA Young Player of the Year, Alli – who now finds himself on loan at Besiktas.
He said: “Blimey. Would he suit the Rangers’ style? Well, he went to school and played basketball as well as football, so maybe.
“He seems to be a bit of a Dele Alli type at this moment in time. He has played a few times this season with no goals and no assists, but there is a talent in there.
“I think he’s 23 now, and he needs to get his career back on track, so it’s a punt. We’ve seen some nice flicks and tricks from him, but he hasn’t been consistent enough in a Norwich City jersey for a number of years now.
“He went down to Bournemouth on loan last season, and there was a deal to be down if he played well enough, but Scott Parker sent him back, and he came back to Norwich with his tail between his legs.”
Risk
Although Cantwell has several strings to his bow regarding positional flexibility and his high ceiling, a move to Ibrox is a risk for all parties.
After thoroughly impressing in his debut Premier League season for Norwich City, he has struggled for the same consistency after returning to the Championship.
What will be a worry is that both Dean Smith and Wagner didn’t deem the midfielder worthy of a spot in their starting XI and whether there is an attitude problem is maybe up for debate.
His fall from grace has been so great this term that Cantwell has featured just once from the bench since November, so even if Michael Beale were to sign him, he would need several weeks to get up to full-match fitness.
The quality the Canaries ace possesses is undoubted, but a move to a huge club such as Rangers would bring its own pressures.
A move is a chance for Cantwell to reignite his career, but if he doesn’t take it with both hands, he might just sink into the doldrums of wasted talent alongside Alli.
In other Rangers news, an Old Firm transfer battle has heated up in a major way with big money on the horizon from an unexpected source.