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.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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NOLAN BIDS TO GIVE THE COBBLERS A REBOOT
NEW Northampton boss Kevin Nolan says restoring shattered confidence is his first priority at Sixfields.
'INCREDIBLE” MAGPIES HIT DONS HARD
NOTTS County boss Stuart Maynard hailed an \"incredible\" display after his side won at MK Dons.
100-UP HERO COOKS VALE
ANDY Cook was saluted by both managers after the Bradford striker scored a goal-of-the season contender in the Bantams' victory over Port Vale.
SUPER STAGS HUNT DOWN SORRY POSH
NIGEL Clough saluted his rampant Stags as Mansfield Nuted blew Peterborough away at London Road.
FLETCHER SPOT ON TO DEFEAT POOL & LEAVE BRUCE FUMING
STEVE Bruce slammed referee Ruebyn Ricardo for awarding Wrexham a late penalty against his Blackpool side from which they produced the winner.
LAMPARD HAS ROO FEELING SO SKY BLUE
FRANK Lampard admitI ted he has great sympathy with what counterpart Wayne Rooney is going through at Plymouth after their first managerial clash ended with a thumping Coventry triumph.
THORUP DELIGHT AS CITY BOUNCE BACK
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be looking to make it a Christmas double when his side entertain QPR today.
BULLISH EDWARDS DEFENDS HATTERS
'We did deserve a point'
Cullen brace sets a mark for Luke
LUKE Williams hailed a near-perfect performance by his Swansea side against QPR and hopes they can repeat the feat versus Luton today.
WARNE: WIN WILL GIVE US A BOOST
PAUL Warne admits his Derby side's win over West Brom will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United this evening.
