Max Aarons – The Canaries right-back flying under the radar

During their 7-0 thrashing of Huddersfield, almost every player on the Norwich side performed admirably.

One player who has consistently been a standout player all season however has been the exceptional Norwich full-back Max Aarons.

Aarons has established himself as one of Norwich‘s most pivotal players this season, with the full-back displaying why he is currently one of the hottest properties in Europe. The 21-year-old has featured in all but one match for the league leaders this season, after he missed out against Preston on Friday when picking up a small injury on international duty with England U21’s.

Since his debut against Ipswich in 2018, Aarons has notched up 124 appearances for the Norfolk outfit including featuring in every Premier League game for the Canaries last season.

One reason that Aarons has featured in as many games is due to his manager’s high opinion of him. Daniel Farke spoke earlier on in the season about his right-back’s performances and was full of praise when discussing his player:

“Max is outstanding in many topics. I can’t praise him enough for what he has done since his first appearance.

“He is always looking to work harder. Never ill, never injured. If the best clubs in the world are interested then maybe there is not that much more space to improve.”

Farke did however touch on one area that Aarons could improve on, with the full-back struggling to contribute to goals and assists in the final third.

“He knows he can work a bit more on his assists and end product, like in the last game. I think he can be more of an offensive threat for us. You watch some of our games now and the opponents go man-for-man on him.”

The Englishman has played as an out and out right-back in a back four throughout the season, but he has been given licence to roam up the wing in more of an attacking role in most games with his impressive speed enabling him to sprint back if the opposition set off on a counter attack.

During any game this season it’s been clear to see that when in possession, Aarons is positioned high up the field and right on the touchline, in a perfect position to send crosses into the box to his talisman Teemu Pukki.

Although he is played as a winger when in possession, Aarons has struggled for goal contributions throughout his career. The full-back registered his first assist of the season on Tuesday night, with his perfectly timed ball finding Jordan Hugill at the back post late in the game.

Aarons had positioned himself on the left wing following a Huddersfield attack and from the edge of the box decided to roll the ball through a tight angle behind the Huddersfield defence all the way through to the back post where substitute Hugill was on hand to smash the ball into the net for Norwich’s seventh goal of the game.

The ball was played through the eye of a needle with Aarons’ weak foot, showing his versatility on the ball as well as his ability to provide and create for his teammates going forward.

Although he is yet to be capped for Gareth Southgate’s senior team, Aarons has enjoyed a good start to his international career for the England youth sides. The defender has featured in 18 matches for his country at the age of 21, being capped seven times for the Under 19’s side and making 11 appearances for the Under 21’s.

The full-back featured in two out of the three games played by England at the recent 2021 Under 21 Euro’s before they crashed out of the competition to Croatia courtesy of a last-minute goal from Domagoj Bradaric.

Aarons is certainly knocking on Gareth Southgate’s door by performing well in both domestic and international competitions this season and with Norwich expected to make their return to the top flight next season, the chances of a call-up will surely increase.

The competition at right-back within the national set-up is fierce but Aarons continues to impress and may well earn his senior bow by continuing his form back in the Premier League next season.

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