Middlesbrough are laughing loudest at Southampton right now following a £15 million agreement.

This season hasn’t started off well for anyone at Southampton, but Finn Azaz, a former Middlesbrough midfielder, has strangely battled with form.

Southampton have been far from it this season, with 13 games played, 12 points earned, and the search for a new manager well and firmly on, much to everyone’s surprise.

The Saints are now sitting barely above the relegation zone and are on a three-game losing streak after Will Still was fired on Sunday evening.

After being relegated from the Premier League last season, the Saints’ parachute payments enabled the club to do some decent business in the summer, including bringing in Finn Azaz, who hasn’t lived up to his potential.

After becoming one of the top performers in the Championship with Middlesbrough over the last year and a half, the Irishman’s performance levels have been below par for someone of his abilities, making Boro’s £15 million fee for their star man appear exorbitant.

Finn Azaz has not yet lived up to expectations in a Saints jersey.

After moving from the North to the South of England in the summer, Azaz appeared destined to lead Southampton’s rapid return to the Premier League. However, it has been anything but this season.

Everything about the signing pointed to success, with Southampton seemingly acquiring one of the top players in the division, but no one could have expected the 25-year-old’s abrupt decline. Last season was Azaz’s best yet, with 12 goals and 11 assists in 45 league games.

This season hasn’t started off well for anyone at Southampton, but Finn Azaz, a former Middlesbrough midfielder, has strangely failed to find form.

With 13 games played, 12 points on the board, and the search for a new manager well and firmly begun, Southampton have been far from it this season, much to everyone’s surprise.

The Saints are currently just above the relegation zone and on a three-game losing streak after Will Still was expelled on Sunday evening.

After being relegated from the Premier League last season, the Saints’ parachute payments allowed them to do some good business in the summer, including bringing in Finn Azaz, who hasn’t lived up to expectations.

After becoming one of the top performers in the Championship over the last year and a half with Middlesbrough, the Irishman’s performance levels have been below par for someone of his abilities, making Boro’s £15 million fee for their star man appear exorbitant.

Finn Azaz and Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney have not yet met expectations as Saints players.
After moving from the North to the South of England in the summer, Azaz appeared destined to lead Southampton’s rapid return to the Premier League. However, it has been anything but this season.

Everything about the signing pointed to success, with Southampton seemingly acquiring one of the top players in the division, but no one could have expected the 25-year-old’s abrupt decline. Last season was Azaz’s best yet, with 12 goals and 11 assists in 45 league games.

Fast forward to date, and Azaz has played nine league games for the Saints without scoring a goal. Azaz, who was primarily a 90-minute player for Boro, has struggled to establish himself in the current Southampton squad, having only played one full match under former manager Still, against Blackburn.

With Azaz still in the early phases of his playing career on the South Coast, it’s vital to remember more than just the geographical change that the midfielder had to make. However, adjusting to a new system with several staff moves is sure to take some time, as evidenced by the current situation.

However, Azaz and Southampton must act quickly or risk facing League One.

Middlesbrough will be pleased to receive £15 million for the struggling Finn Azaz.

It’s no wonder that there are questions surrounding the name Finn Azaz this season, since he has yet to establish his footing in a Saints jersey. However, Middlesbrough will be grateful that they sold in for £15 million when they did, as his skills have clearly not been missed, with Boro sitting comfortably in second place in the Championship.

Middlesbrough fans, on the other hand, got a peek of what Azaz may have brought to Rob Edwards’ side in the first two gameweeks, as the Irish international scored and assisted for his previous club, which is more than he has done for the Saints to date.

With his future uncertain in the middle of August, Azaz continued where he left off, and Boro fans can’t help but think that their quest for promotion to the top flight would be a little more hopeful if Azaz was still on the team.

One major reason for Azaz’s drop in form has to be Will Still’s formation, and with the ex-Reims manager now dismissed, it wouldn’t be surprising if Azaz benefits from Sport Republic’s decision, as Still frequently opts for a 3-4-3 formation, which doesn’t naturally suit the 25-year-old as an out-and-out number 10.

From Middlesbrough’s perspective, the £15 million obtained from his trade has helped them to really kick on this season, with strength in all areas of the game, resulting in a well-rounded team for Edwards. Integrating experience with youth by bringing in Luke Ayling and Callum Brittain as wing-backs has been critical to their sustained success.

Overall, Boro will be laughing the loudest, having received £15 million for their major creator as the vacuum he left has been filled with ease. They now have their sights set on the Championship’s top spot, but the Saints are working hard to stay out of the bottom three.