Aznou's 'Street Football' Influence & Future Everton Hopes

Adam Aznou is the subject of the main feature in Monday's Official Matchday Programme for the visit of Leeds United. He sits down to reflect on how playing on the streets of Barcelona – and in the famous La Masia – has shaped him as a footballer, as well as revealing more about his close friendships with Lamine Yamal and Achraf Hakimi, who at Everton has helped him settle into life on Merseyside, and his hopes for the future. Keep reading for a snippet of that exclusive interview...

Adam Aznou has already followed in the footsteps of some of football’s best so far in his fledgling career – now, he is determined to do the same at Everton.

Raised in the shadows of Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou stadium, La Florida is a densely-populated, working-class neighbourhood in District 4 of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the city’s metropolitan area, known locally for its stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees.

It’s a melting pot of cultures, shaped by waves of migration, Aznou – a dual citizen of Spain and Morocco himself – speaks five languages: Spanish, Catalan, Arabic, English and German.

Typically of Barcelona, football in the area is an obsession and, along with encouragement from his father, Abdul, it was on the streets of La Florida where Aznou was introduced to a game that would take over his life.

“Since I was three years old, my dad would take me to the park and it was just football, football, football, from then on,” he recalls. “I have my dad to thank for getting me into it in the first place. He loves football and for as long as I can remember, so have I. “As I got a bit older, we would play around where I lived. That was tough football, really tough. We’d play against anyone of any age and, for us, it was a really serious thing.

“There wasn’t one set place we would play, it would be anywhere and everywhere we could – the parks, the streets, anywhere.

“Sometimes the neighbours would come out of their houses and move us on and we’d have to find another place but it would never stop us.

“For me, I believe I learned the real football in the street. I love street football, with the dribbling, the skills, the toughness and everything – it gave me a great grounding.”

[...]

That first competitive appearance in royal blue earlier this month – against Sunderland in the FA Cup – was one of significance for Aznou, who has been working hard behind the scenes to adapt to a new environment and the ruthless demands of English football.

“If there’s one thing that’s taken me by surprise, it’s how much of a family it feels like at Everton,” he reflects. “After leaving Barcelona, I was with Bayern Munich in Germany for three years but I didn’t feel so good.

“I think Germany and England are similar countries in many ways, with the weather and maybe a bit the culture, but I feel really good here. I really like how the team is with me, and how everyone – the staff, the manager, the fans – is with me.

“It feels like everyone is behind me and I’m really excited to be part of this journey.

“I know I need to keep working and keep showing I can help the team.”

Aznou isn’t short of perfect examples to follow when it comes to full-backs having to bide their time to establish themselves as key players in an Everton side.

Captain Seamus Coleman and current Senior Team Coach Leighton Baines both trod the same path before becoming modern-day icons of the Club under the guidance of David Moyes during the manager’s first stint in charge of the Toffees.

“Actually, the day before a game, I spoke with Shay [Coleman],” Aznou reveals. “He has been telling me to be patient, to keep working, because the time and the chance will come, so I need to always be ready.

“Afterwards he told me I did that – I took my chance by making an impact [coming on as a substitute against Sunderland], so that made me really happy.

“I’m really thankful to him, and not just him but a lot of my teammates. They have been so good to me from the first day I arrived in the dressing room.”

>>> To read the full feature, order your copy of the Official Matchday Programme online now, priced £4+P&P

Elsewhere in the Official Matchday Programme this weekend, we hear from Nigel Martyn – a goalkeeper who is fondly remembered by both Everton and Leeds supporters, while Harrison Armstrong and Iliman Ndiaye take on Stranded At Sea and Take Your Pick – our new light-hearted features – respectively.

Ndiaye and Senegal teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye adorn a special cover, after the duo helped their nation to AFCON glory last weekend.

We also hear from Eli Campbell, who made his Senior Team debut earlier this month, and promising midfielder Malik Olayiwola looks to the future after signing his maiden professional contract with the Blues.

For all this and much more, purchase your copy of the Official Matchday Programme in and around the ground this weekend, priced £4, or click here to order your copy online now.

>>> Order your copy of the Official Matchday Programme online now, priced £4+P&P