With Dean Smith the front runner to become the new Norwich City head coach, there are many questions on how he could develop the talent brewing at Carrow Road.

The Canaries are currently struggling to pick up points in the league, and after their first win away to Brentford, the board pulled the plug on head coach, Daniel Farke, after four seasons. The decision came after a number of poor performances, that has seen some popular players dropped from the team this season, including local talent, Todd Cantwell.

It isn’t completely clear why Cantwell has been dropped to the U23’s as of late, but there have been many rumours surrounding his removal from the first team.

Farke did briefly speak out about Cantwell’s absence after the 7-0 loss to Chelsea.

The German coach said: “The rules are clear for each player. You have to be physically and mentally prepared and show consistency in training and be available. The standards and the levels are the same for every player.”

Meanwhile, the young gem’s former coach Gary Cockaday noticed his ability from a young age, he told The Athletic: “He did things every week that were just special. It was God-given. No one taught it.”

Cantwell reportedly impressed a number of Premier League established clubs in his previous season in the top flight, and has often been the topic of transfer rumours to Arsenal, but nothing materialised, with Norwich not happy to sell for less than £30m.

The 23-year-old midfielder, was previously linked to Villa under Smith after Jack Grealish made his move to Manchester City in the Summer. Speculation suggested that the Villians were poised to make a move for the Norwich star, but after signing his teammate, Emiliano Buendia, for £38M, interest died off.

Dean Smith’s work at Aston Villa with their very own local talent, Grealish, is one of his most famous accomplishments. Guiding the Championship playing teenager into becoming a £100m Premier League player, who is now a household name and starter in the England and Manchester City team.

The £19.8m-rated dynamo displays similar capabilities and positioning attributes to the former Villa coaches prodigy, but has failed to reach his full potential under Farke.

The appointment of Smith at Norwich would surely be of huge advantage to Cantwell, who earns £25k-per-week, with the opportunity to work under a coach who clearly understands how to tap into the potential of a young attacking midfielder needing structure and guidance to elevate their performance and career.

The Canaries are yet to announce their new manager, but are expected to make a decision before the end of the international break.

AND in other news, ex-PL man now the front-runner for Norwich City job…