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Plymouth Argyle will talk to Aston Villa over next step for Finn Azaz
Steven Schumacher is sure Plymouth Argyle will be involved in the conversation when Aston Villa consider the future of their 22-year-old midfielder Finn Azaz.
Azaz was one of six loan signings who featured for the Pilgrims during their 2022/23 League One title-winning campaign, and all of them contributed to their outstanding success.
His fine form early in the season led to him getting a first Republic of Ireland call-up, only for his progress to be halted in late October by a broken ankle.
Read More: Argyle off to Spain ahead of return to the Championship
That led to Azaz missing around two-and-a-half months of action for the Pilgrims before returning in mid-January, although his performances after that were perhaps not to the same high level as previously, certainly at first.
Azaz joined Villa from West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2021 and agreed a new contract with the Premier League club before making his season-long loan move to Argyle last July.
The Pilgrims had tremendous uccess with their loan signings this season, with Azaz joined by Sam Cosgrove (Birmingham City), Nigel Lonwijk (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jay Matete (Sunderland), Bali Mumba (Norwich City) and Morgan Whittaker (Swansea City)
The recall of Whittaker at the start of January opened the way for Argyle to bring in Matete and keep them at the maximum number of loan signings permitted to be in a matchday squad.
Schumacher was asked whether any of those players could return for the Pilgrims in the Championship for next season, either on loan again or on permanent transfers and replied: “Anything is possible. You can’t rule anything out.
“I think all of them have contributed (this season) and played a huge part. We have loved working with them all. I think we have done our job to their clubs, we have helped them develop. They have got experience.
“They have all been brilliant and I can’t thank them enough. Yeah, I would love to work with them again. Whether it’s possible, we will see.
“We will have those conversations when we sit down and narrow the list of what we need.”
Azaz made a total of 25 starts and 14 substitute appearances for the Pilgrims this season and scored eight goals, with the last one coming in the title-clinching 3-1 win away to Port Vale in the final fixture.
On whether Azaz could return next season, Schumacher said: “Again, these are conversations we are going to have to have. Anything is possible. We will make phone calls, we will have discussions.
“Every time you see him (Azaz) he has walked around here with a smile on his face. He has loved it and his talent is undeniable.
“Could he play at the next level (the Championship) as well? Yeah, I think he could so we will be having those conversations whenever we can with the people at Aston Villa.”
The Pilgrims’ boss added: “Whatever the plans Aston Villa have got with Finn I’m sure we will be in the conversation.”
Norwich boss David Wagner has already stated that Mumba is ‘fully in my plans for next season’ after his hugely successful spell with Argyle.
Plymouth Argyle League One champions special edition being printed by The Herald
It has been a wonderful, historic season for Plymouth Argyle as they have clinched promotion to the Championship in stunning style.
Steven Schumacher led the Pilgrims to the League One title with a remarkable record of 31 wins and 101 points from their 46 games.
There were so many highs during the campaign, and you will be able to relive them with a 40-page standalone publication which will be printed by The Herald.
Featuring memorable photos from all of the major moments during the season, Argyle Are Champions will detail the story from start to finish.
CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy and get it delivered straight to your door, alternatively it will be available to purchase in all local retailers/newsagents from Thursday, May 18, 2023.
The 21-year-old was named as the EFL League One Young Player of the Season, and won the same category at Argyle.
Schumacher said: “They (Norwich) might have plans for Bali to play in their team and if they have then good luck to Bali, but if they haven’t and the option is for us to have a go at taking him again then, yeah, we would because he’s brilliant.
“He loved his time here – he has gone on record and said it – and I think we have done a good job by him. He had a tough loan last year at Peterborough and he has had an unbelievable loan here where he has become a fans’ favourite.
“He has expressed himself, he has shown everybody how good he is and if the option was to come and work with us again then I think he would.”
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