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Everton’s Adam Aznou has been backed to be a hit on loan at Malaga after joining the Spanish side on loan for the season.

Radio Marca Malaga cover comments from BILD journalist Nico Linner today. He’s a journalist focusing on the Bundesliga and an expert on German football.

That means he knows Aznou well following his time at Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old played for the Bundesliga giants before joining Everton last summer.

He was highly rated there and in Spain but struggled at Everton last season. Now Linner says he is determined to bounce back in Spain.

“I remember when he arrived at Bayern in the summer of 2022 as one of Spanish football’s top prospects – on the same level as Lamine Yamal. A huge talent,” he said.

“He made significant strides and showed glimpses of his ability. At Everton… the physical step-up was massive, and he had a tough year. Now, I know he is absolutely eager to prove his level and get playing time.”

Hakimi comparison

Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi

Linner is keen to point out that the player should not be judged on his difficulties at Everton. In fact, he think there are comparisons with PSG star Achraf Hakimi as well as Lamal.

“He comes from the Barça academy, so we know he has a great footballing education,” he added.

“He has that ‘street footballer’ flair. One-on-one situations. He’s a powerhouse going forward. He loves to take defenders on. At Bayern, they said he was an absolute standout in attack and showed – and still shows – great promise as a top-tier player.

“The areas they said he needed to improve were his physicality and his defensive game. His potential is immense. Barça was upset when he left for Germany.

“I like to compare him to Achraf Hakimi. He can do it. He isn’t at that level yet, but his playing style is similar. They’re friends, too; they share the same agency.”

Loan deal optimism

He’s also optimistic about the move to Malaga. The defender is set to be a key player for the Spanish side, something that wasn’t on offer on Merseyside.

He’s chosen the country over a potential return to Germany. Linner, for his part, is still convinced a bright future is on the horizon.

“You have to keep in mind that he had some very lucrative offers in Germany,” he concluded.

“But he was desperate to come to Spain. This is the kind of football that suits him. He wanted playing time and a key role. He saw an opportunity at Málaga, he really likes the club and is eager to prove himself.

“He’s still very young. He can’t carry the team on his own; he needs the team to function well. Hopefully, that happens. I have a lot of faith in his potential.”

“They (Bayern) see him playing at a top European level if he improves those specific areas. He worked hard on his physicality in England – learning to handle physical challenges. With that mindset, along with confidence and regular playing time, I still see top-tier qualities that could earn him a spot at major European clubs.”

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