The first days of pre-season often provide a window into knowing which players will potentially feature prominently in the new season.
For Adam Aznou, the reception he got on his return to Finch Farm sparked hopes that he may yet have a role to play at the club this season.
The young left-back endured a torrid first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, playing only one game all season despite arriving as a highly-rated prospect.
David Moyes' Left-Back Dilemma After Adam Aznou’s Warm Finch Farm Return
Everton boss David Moyes is set for another pre-season with the team, and he will have thoughts of the left-back position on his mind.
Vitalii Mykolenko remains the undisputed starter for the side, but young Aznou joined to provide cover for the Ukraine international, something he did not get to do in the 2025-26 season.
Adam Aznou was warmly received upon his return to Finch Farm to commence training ahead of the new season, with the 20-year-old a popular figure among his teammates and staff.
Amid talk of a move away from the club this summer at the end of last season, the youngster appears to be relaxed and happy to begin preparing for the new season.
From his appearance and the way he was received, it was clear that the Moroccan left-back is settled in at the club and ready to play his way into the coach's thoughts.
What Happened in Adam Aznou's Rocky Debut Season in England
Adam Aznou had his football education in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, where he was in the same age group as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.
He joined the club as a 13-year-old and left three years later to join Bayern Munich in search of senior football.
Bayern Munich sent the youngster to Real Valladolid on loan after he made only three senior appearances for them.
He spent the second half of the 2024-25 season back in Spain, where he was born, and racked up 13 LaLiga appearances for Real Valladolid.
Everton came calling last summer and paid £8 million for the highly-rated Morocco international.
Aznou struggled to cope with the positional and physical demands of David Moyes' team, with his issues evident even from pre-season.
In the final friendly against AS Roma ahead of the 2025-26 season, Aznou was named among the substitutes but was called upon early in the game due to an injury to Vitalii Mykolenko.
The Moroccan youngster failed his audition as he was hauled off in the second half after struggling during his time on the pitch.
Aznou was not seen on the pitch for Everton until January, when he came off the bench in an FA Cup game against Sunderland.
He won a crucial penalty in that game but did not play a single minute afterwards.
Adam Aznou Provides a Tactical Dilemma for David Moyes
Adam Aznou's technical quality is undeniable, having been moulded at La Masia, and he is arguably the most technically gifted defender on the books of the Toffees.
The youngster's trickery with the ball at his feet, ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces, and attacking instinct are second to none, but he also gives a headache to David Moyes.
The Premier League has become increasingly physical and Moyes has adapted by putting his most physically dominant defensive players on the pitch.
While Aznou's attacking qualities are definitely a weapon to be wielded, his defensive shortcomings may leave his side with a significant gap at the back.
The youngster stands at around 178cm tall and weighs around 152lbs, meaning that there is little he can do to up his physicality.
He can, however, work on his defensive awareness better and prove himself as a reliable alternative to Mykolenko this summer.
Moyes can also work out a solution to have the hugely talented youngster on the pitch while masking his weaknesses.
Career Lessons Young Footballers Can Learn From Aznou’s Journey
Adam Aznou has gone from playing for Europe's biggest clubs at youth level to fighting for a spot in a mid-table Premier League team.
For many, this would seem like a step back, but in reality, it shows clearly the bravery of the young defender.
Aznou could have chosen to stay at Bayern Munich and remain on the fringes, but he instead opted to move to the Premier League and test himself against world-class opposition.
His initial hitches in an Everton shirt do not mean that he has stalled or the move has backfired, but it teaches young players the value of patience and staying ready for opportunities that will come their way.
Even though Aznou barely played a game last season, the reception he received on his return to the club shows that he was level-headed and never caused any trouble throughout the campaign.
Young players must understand that things would not always go their way, particularly in the early days of their career.
This is a time to prove your reliability as a teammate and a team player, rather than cause troubles with bad attitudes.
