Southampton‘s £12 million summer signing Finn Azaz has hit out at his critics following a slow start to life at St Mary’s.
The 25-year-old was the subject of much speculation throughout the transfer window after contributing 12 goals and 11 assists for Middlesbrough last season. He began the campaign at the Riverside Stadium, picking up another goal and assist in his two appearances for the Teessiders.
A move to the south coast was confirmed at the end of August, but he has so far failed to replicate the form he enjoyed at his previous club. This has led to criticism from some quarters, with the Saints struggling in the bottom half of the Championship.
Azaz Hits Back
Despite their lowly position, Southampton entered the international break on the back of a three-game unbeaten run. Azaz dropped to the bench for the recent 1-1 draw against Derby County, but has admitted he is happy with his start at his new club. Speaking to The Daily Echo, the Republic of Ireland international said:
“We talk about creativity, and that’s one of my super strengths. People have always questioned my out-of-possession work, my work rate, my defensive stuff, my ability to press.
“I’ve been like, listen, I’m doing a role in different teams. It’s definitely a strength of mine. I think I’ve been trying to show that here, working really hard on the pressing stuff.
“The managers are obviously big on that. People say I can’t do it, so I’m going to definitely prove people wrong with that this season.
“I’ve played in a lot of really good possession-based teams. When you have the ball a lot, on the eye, it’s all just in possession.
“You don’t really see that, for example, on the weekend, those sprints at defenders. To go and win the ball back high, it’s just completely different.
“At Plymouth, I think I definitely did show that, but people have short memories, don’t they? I’m looking to work on that this season. Hopefully, we get more and more chances from it.”
Continuing, the attacking midfielder admitted he is more interested in getting results than creating goals:
“We’re in a world now where it’s all about goals and assists. You might think because I’ve got all these goals and assists in the last two years that that’s all I’m thinking about.
“But it’s more about the performances, the process, and it’s more about obviously getting wins. My role and my responsibility is to help us get wins, not just to get goals and assists.”
Writer’s View
Finn Azaz has just six Southampton appearances to his name, so it’s far too early to insinuate that he is a flop. He is an exceptionally talented player that has proven his worth at Championship level and it is only a matter of time before he starts to show that at St Mary’s. Unfortunately, patience isn’t an attribute that is associated with the modern day football fan and it’s sad to see him already being singled out. Expect him to prove his doubters wrong in the long run though.
