As a teenager, he emerged from King Edward’s School in Birmingham with nine A* grades at GCSE, despite training in West Brom’s academy five times a week.
As a burgeoning midfield schemer, he wowed a succession of coaches, both in his youth team days at the Hawthorns and later at loan clubs in the EFL.
“Finn is probably the most intelligent footballer, away from football, I have ever met and his game knowledge is outstanding,” said current Stoke boss Steven Schumacher, his manager for the majority of an 18-month loan spell at Plymouth.
A previous loan at Newport drew similar praise from then-Exiles boss James Rowberry. “Everybody can see his technical quality,” said the former Cardiff coach. “But it’s his brain that will get him to the top.
“He is very coachable and very studious with a lot of off-field work on analysis and with his development plans. Eventually he will be Premier League quality - I am sure he will get to that point.”
In name, at least, he already has. Having swapped West Brom for Aston Villa in 2021, Azaz excelled on loan at Newport, winning the League Two young player of the year award and a place in the divisional team of the season.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 04, 2024-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 04, 2024-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.
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SCHUEY TIPPED FOR PILGRIMS RETURN
STEVEN Schumacher is the odds-on favourite to take over at Plymouth Argyle following the departure of Wayne Rooney.
MAT'S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON
DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an 'incredible victory' after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County.
CAM'S GOAL LEAVES MIKE FEELING BLUE
CARLISLE manager Mike Williamson said he could understand the frustration of the traveling fans after his side were booed off following a narrow defeat to Tranmere at Prenton Park.
MOORE WANTS SOME MORE
DARREN Moore hopes the win at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers will prove to be a turning point for his Port Vale side.
SHRIMPS BID TO STIR THINGS UP
DEREK Adams wants his Morecambe side to build on a 'really big result' against Tranmere on New Year's Day when they visit Newport this afternoon.
'Don't blame this all on Freddie'
PAUL Heckingbottom leaped to the defence of Freddie Woodman after the Preston goalkeeper's mistake so nearly resulted in defeat against Oxford.
FORSON DOUBLE STUNS SKY BLUES
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told goal hero Amankwah Forson to enjoy the moment after the substitute scored twice in injury-time to earn his side a scarcely believable win over Coventry City.
MCNALLY FIRES IN AS ROBINS FLY HIGH
LIAM Manning predicted a quiet transfer window in terms of signings after seeing his improving Bristol City side move up to eighth in the table - just three points off the playoff zone.
Danny downcast at wasteful Owls
FRUSTRATED Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted he was \"more disappointed than happy\" after watching his side waste a succession of first-half chances before scraping a draw against Millwall.
ALLEN NO ORDINARY JOE, SAYS WILLIAMS
SWANSEA boss Luke Williams paid tribute to supersub Joe Allen after his injury-time goal claimed a point against West Bromwich Albion.
