During Ireland's matches over the course of the international break, Finn Azaz turned heads and made his status as Ireland's new talisman very clear. The Middlesborough midfielder linked up well with Evan Ferguson and fostered many connections with the likes of Troy Parrott and Robbie Brady to give Ireland the edge in their crucial UEFA Nations League ties against Bulgaria, especially the first leg in Plovdiv where he was named Player of the Match.
The Irishman has been a creative force in Boro's Championship campaign this season. With ten goals and eleven assists to his name, he is the only player in the league to reach double-digits in both stats, and it has not gone unnoticed. The 24-year-old attracted the scouts of Premier League club Crystal Palace to Ireland's second leg fixture against Bulgaria in the Aviva Stadium. A major move to England's top-flight this summer could definitely be on the cards.
Middlesborough manager Michael Carrick was quick to commend Azaz's hard work over the course of the season, primarily noting his consistency and clinical nature as being the main factors of his success.
We’ve seen what he’s capable of this season and what he can go on to achieve. The amount he’s produced this season is really impressive.
He’s brought variety into his play and has played across different roles as well. He can find that pass, he can find that moment and he can find that bit of quality to finish. He’s dangerous in those positions. We’ve seen teams recently make a big effort to stop him, and that’s understandable.
Knowing Finn, he’s probably a little disappointed he hasn’t had even more. It’s a really good sign. He’s got to have patience and belief to keep going. Over the course of the season he’s done terrific.
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Having the tenacity and talents of a Premier League playmaker, Azaz seems like the kind of player who could seamlessly slip into the set-up at Selhurst Park alongside Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismalia Sarr, and Eberechi Eze, making for a killer attacking force. However, with three years left on his contract, it would need to be a very tempting offer to sway Boro to part with him.
Still, with the calibre of play that Azaz has been showing as of late, it would be difficult for top-flight clubs in need to resist such a player.
He’s hugely driven and really motivated to do well. He wants information, he wants to learn and he wants to improve.
He’s such a hard worker and sometimes you’ve got to hold him back a little but because he’s so keen. It’s a fantastic attitude to have. In the end, you get the rewards for the work you put in. He’s doing really well.
Azaz's ability seems to only be going up, and he will certainly be one-to-watch as Middlesborough enter the latter stages of the season. Only goal difference separates Boro from a place in the playoffs and Azaz has a huge few weeks ahead of him amid this Premier League push.
It will be interesting to see what the next step in his career will be.
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