Azaz – Technique that lights up Wembley!
- aaronptighe
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
There are two fantastic goals in the FA Cup Semi Final between Man City and Southampton that you can watch in this clip. Both are brilliantly executed techniques. In the first-person view breakdown below, we look at the first of these from Southampton's No. 10: Finn Azaz (78 minutes in). Man City had controlled the game as expected, and this breakaway goal in the 78th minute rocked the stadium, putting the underdogs Southampton in the lead. Place yourself in Azaz's shoes in this breakdown.
First-Person Thinking for Coaching
Yes! Jander has tackled Cherki on the left wing. We can break inside their half. I'm free in the centre. Call loud for the ball, wave my arms to get his attention. No! He's passed wide to Scienza on the wing, he didn’t see me. A missed chance. Ok, reset and let's see what happens.
Slow my run forward. I'm still in a good position, reaching 25 yards out from goal in free space. Nobody's picking me up. Fraser's receiving the ball from Scienza on the left wing and turning inwards on the edge of the box, looking for a cross maybe. I'm in a better position though, more central and just behind his line. He's getting closed down quickly off his touch. Call loud! Yes, he sees me. I'm still free.
He passes, but the ball is coming behind me from the left. Improvise, because I have time. An open-out/back-foot turn on my left foot will pull the ball around towards goal. The ball connects with the inside of my left foot, now spin around with the ball on my foot. Nice. It's worked beautifully into the space angled to my right towards goal, on the edge of the D of the penalty box.
No time to wait, I can see out of the top of my vision the right post area of the goal, the Wembley crowd blurred in the stand behind. To strike and curl the ball fast is my choice. It's execute time! Standing left foot next to the ball, bring my right foot around and under the outside of the ball, connect, and whip the ball with massive power, aiming outside the post high for the bend to bring the ball around high into the corner. The ball flies off with pace and power. City's defender hasn't got across in time. It's a beauty, on track, on track... The goalkeeper Trafford is nowhere near it. It hits the net high in the corner just inside the post, GOAL! Wembley erupts!
The Journey from Youth Football to Wembley Goalscorer
What an incredible moment for Finn Azaz. His journey to pro football is a really good example of the modern English lower-league pathway rather than a straight Premier League breakthrough.
He was born in Westminster, London, in 2000, but his family moved to Birmingham when he was about 15 months old. He is of Irish and Israeli heritage and later chose to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally. Off the pitch, he was known as one of the bright academy players—he earned top GCSE grades and studied Business and French while developing as a footballer.
Youth Career – West Brom Academy
Azaz joined West Bromwich Albion at just 9 years old and stayed there for over a decade (2009–2020). He came right through their academy system as a technical attacking midfielder—tall, elegant on the ball, creative, and good between the lines.
He has said he looked up to Kevin De Bruyne and also studied clips of Dennis Bergkamp because of the similarity in position and frame. He was also a strong tennis player as a kid and had to choose between football and tennis before committing fully to football.
Even though he was in a Premier League academy, he didn’t break straight into the first team. Like many players, his route came through loans.
First Step into Senior Football – Cheltenham Town
In 2020, West Brom sent him on loan to Cheltenham Town F.C. in League Two.
This was his first real taste of men’s football—more physical, faster decisions, less time on the ball.
He made his professional debut in the EFL Cup and scored his first senior goal in the same competition. Across the season, he played regularly, helping Cheltenham win the League Two title. That season gave him the platform to prove he could handle senior football.
Aston Villa Move and Breakout – Newport County
In 2021, Aston Villa F.C. signed him, seeing his potential, but again the plan was development through loans.
He went to Newport County A.F.C. in League Two and this became his real breakout season.
He scored 7 goals in 42 league games, created chances consistently, and was named:
EFL Young Player of the Month
League Two Young Player of the Season
League Two Team of the Season
This was the point where people stopped seeing him as just an academy player and started seeing him as a genuine Championship/Premier League prospect.
Plymouth Argyle – Promotion and Reputation Grows
He then joined Plymouth Argyle F.C. on loan and became one of their key creative players.
In 2022–23:
scored 8 league goals
helped Plymouth win League One
played a major role in promotion
He suffered a serious ankle injury during that spell, which slowed him temporarily, but he returned strongly.
He rejoined Plymouth again and actually looked even better in the Championship—many felt the higher technical level suited him more than League One. His vision, final ball, and ability to create chances made him stand out.
Middlesbrough – Championship Star
In January 2024, Middlesbrough F.C. signed him permanently.
This was the major “step up” moment—no longer a loanee, but a club investing in him as a first-team player.
Under Michael Carrick, he became one of the Championship’s best attacking midfielders and even won Championship Player of the Month in November 2024 after a strong run of goals and assists.
Southampton – Big Move
In August 2025, Southampton F.C. signed him on a four-year deal for around £12 million plus add-ons.
That was the confirmation that his long route—from academy player, to League Two loans, to standout Championship midfielder—had paid off.
He has described one of his proudest achievements simply as:
“Getting to where I am now, from having to go back to League Two.”
A determined journey and career. Plenty to take from this story for young players.
One2Pro:
The use of video with a physical Coach review is fantastic for honing skills and performance. In our One2Pro online coaching app, "Techniques of the Stars" are broken down step-by-step for players to follow and practice, to then upload to our Coach to review and provide feedback.
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
*What It Takes. Available on major retailers in hardcopy, eBook and audio.
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