Phil Foden gave me a footballing lesson I’ll never forget – now I’m making my own way under Man Utd legend
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Sponsored by. FINN AZAZ was shown the way to the top by Phil Foden. And the Middlesbrough midfielder hopes to join Manchester City’s England superstar in the Premier League next year by completing an EFL hat-trick of promotions. Azaz, 24, went up from League Two with Cheltenham in 2021 and then League One in 2023 at Plymouth — who Boro visit today.
![[Phil Foden and his Man City team-mates taught Finn Azaz a footballing lesson]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-phil-foden-manchester-city-957886052.jpg?strip=all&w=696)
And he can keep his biennial promotion streak going by helping Middlesbrough into the Prem. During his stint at Cheltenham he played against Foden in the 2020-21 FA Cup — and the Robins gave Pep Guardiola’s stars a fright, leading through an Alfie May goal until the 81st minute.
![[But Azaz is now aiming to get revenge but first needs to earn a promotion with Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/finn-azaz-cheltenham-town-passes-958359778.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But late strikes from Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres spared City’s blushes. Azaz admits that match taught him a lesson. He said: “I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League but that day showed me the gap I had to bridge if I was ever going to make it.
“I did well and realised that although these are guys you’re watching every week on TV, they’re just normal people when playing them. “But it was an eye-opener. Foden was wearing moulds and the pitch was terrible that day. Yet he showed incredible balance.
“I never get cramps — but that day I did! All that taught me I must do a lot better if I want to reach that level. That was my first season playing men’s football and to win League Two was special. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. “I grew so much as a person and the manager Michael Duff showed so much trust to play me.”.
