Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit tips Middlesbrough FC star to follow Morgan Rogers path on one condition | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie takes a look at what the future of Finn Azaz could look like.

Lee Hendrie has admitted that he has "great expectations" of Finn Azaz amid a season of solid contributions from the midfielder for Middlesbrough.

Signed from Aston Villa in January 2024 for a deal worth £2.5 million, the Irish international has enjoyed a stellar year in his first full season at the Riverside.

Across his 40 Championship games this season, the 24-year-old has provided 10 goals and 11 assists. Creativity is his main asset, and this is more than evident in the underlying statistics, as Boro's number 20 leads the division for chances created.

However, consistency remains a concern, as since the turn of the year, he has managed just two goals and two assists in 17 games – a far cry from what Middlesbrough need in their play-off push.

This was more than evident in Tuesday night's defeat against Leeds United, where the midfielder created just one opportunity and had three of his four shots on goal blocked.

Certainly, there is potential, but if he is to make the move to the Premier League, he needs to convert his promise into more regular performances, as this remains a shortcoming in his game.

Lee Hendrie sees Finn Azaz's potential

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie admitted that Azaz's future could be a bright one if he can fulfil his potential after an underwhelming display against Leeds.

"I've got great expectations of Finn Azaz," Hendrie told FLW.

"He grew into the game (Leeds match) in the second half, in particular. I like to see him playing the central role as a 10, and that is where Iheanacho was playing yesterday. He gets more involved, he looks more of a threat than when he plays in the wider areas, where it is more difficult for him to grasp and get involved.

"He had a decent enough performance, but there is still more to come from Finn Azaz.

"Being more involved and playing in a more central area, he can go on and follow a similar path to what Morgan Rogers has done. I think it is just down to positioning to find his success."

Finn Azaz will be looking for a return to the Premier League like Morgan Rogers

Rogers and Azaz swapped clubs in January 2024, with the former Middlesbrough man moving to Villa Park, while the Irish midfielder traded the Second City for Teesside.

At Boro, Rogers was very much like Azaz – a player who showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to produce it week in, week out. Since moving to the Premier League, that has changed completely, and this season he has impressed supporters with his natural dribbling ability, strength, and knack for bringing others into the game.

By no means is he the finished article, but he is becoming reliable – something the Irishman has yet to achieve.

For that reason, if he can't secure promotion with Boro, a push for a transfer back to the Premier League may be his next step forward. While many Riverside fans may argue he isn't quite ready, just over 18 months ago, you wouldn't have said Rogers was prepared for the step-up. But a jump in quality can do wonders, and for Azaz, that may just be the way forward.