Adam Aznou will use a season-long loan move from Everton to Malaga as an opportunity to rebuild his club career and convince Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi that he deserves a return to the national team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 20-year-old left-back is joining the newly promoted La Liga side after a period in which his progress has been slowed by repeated changes of club and a lack of regular first-team football. The move gives the former Bayern Munich prospect the chance to establish himself in a new project and, above all, play consistently.
Aznou came through the academy at FC Barcelona before moving to Bayern Munich, where he was regarded for a long time as one of the most promising full-backs of his generation. His early Morocco debut in 2024 appeared to put him on course for a significant role with the Atlas Lions.
That momentum has not been maintained. Although his switch from Bayern Munich to Everton was intended to provide greater opportunities, it did not produce the expected outcome. Last season underlined his difficulties, with Aznou in a difficult situation at Everton and unable to make a single appearance.
The move to Malaga is therefore designed to restore the elements he has been missing: starts, match sharpness and continuity. The Spanish club were looking for a player who could strengthen the left side while offering pace and technical quality, and Aznou brings flexibility to that role.
He can operate as a conventional full-back, a wing-back or further forward. That versatility should be useful to Malaga, but it will not on its own secure a return to the Morocco squad. Aznou must improve his defensive discipline and show that he can play a sustained run of matches without his performances dropping.
His position with the national team is no longer guaranteed simply because of his reputation as a highly rated young player. Ouahbi has several alternatives on the left, including Noussair Mazraoui, who can play on either flank, as well as Anass Salah-Eddine and Youssef Belammari.
Competition for the position has become increasingly strong in the manager’s plans. Ouahbi is already familiar with Aznou’s qualities because the defender has previously been integrated into the Morocco squad, but the manager is likely to favour players who are playing regularly for their clubs and provide greater defensive certainty.
A full season in Spain could revive Aznou’s career and put him back into Morocco’s plans on a permanent basis. Another campaign spent largely as a substitute, however, would make his international situation considerably more difficult.
For now, Malaga represents more than a change of club. It is a chance for Aznou to recover the momentum that made him one of Europe’s most highly regarded young left-backs, while also beginning his attempt to win back the confidence of Ouahbi and return to the Morocco set-up.
Naim Beneddra