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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END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
