AZEEZ HERE FOR THE SEASON

Es loanee’s Pompey influence over second half of campaign

COWLEY has is desire to keep ez for the season. t e Pompey boss ssed his belief senal midfielder’s t Fratton Park has ood for his develnt, despite a lack laying time. wley can see England underinternational’s fl ence growing e the second half e campaign, and a s him to remain e of his precious slots.

Azeez has made s x appearances so , after missing stretch of the ason with a roin injury, with his parent club having a recall clause they can action next month.

T h e 19-year-old is seen as one of the game’s bright, young prospects and Cowley has no doubt about what he will go on to achieve after working with Azeez at close quarters.

Cowley has now set out his stall that he absolutely doesn’t want the rising star to depart Fratton Park.

He said: ‘Miguel Azeez is 19, he is without doubt one of the top players of his age.

‘He hasn’t had it all his own way - and he is one of the very best.

‘So imagine how hard it is for an academy player at Portsmouth or a lesser player to come in and excel at this level. That’s how big the jump and the challenge is.

‘There’s no doubt that Miguel is going to the top, there is no doubt he’s going to be an outstanding player.

‘If you watch his focus, the way he moves and his top-end quality around goal, you can see he’s going to be a top player.

‘We don’t want him to go back, we enjoy working with him every day.

‘He’s just on a journey. They (Arsenal) have to decide if they see it the same as us.

‘I know the loan has been brilliant for him.

‘I promise it has been an unbelievable experience for

him, and it will hold him in such good stead for the future. I’m categoric about that.’

Pompey currently have five loan players at the club - Azeez, Gavin Bazunu, Mahlon Romeo, George Hirst and Gassan Ahadme - the maximum allowed to be named in a matchday squad.

With Cowley having to be creative with January recruitment, freeing up space with temporary additions is an obvious area for the head coach to work.

Azeez is wanted, however, and the 43-year-old is hopeful Arsenal will see things in the same way he does.

Cowley thinks the fact the teenager hasn’t had things all his own way at Pompey will benefit him moving forward.

He added: ‘This loan has been great for him.

'These players are on a pathway to being elite players. They are boys who’ve only known success and been better than anyone in their age group.

‘When they gets there (to the top) they've lived that

journey where they’ve all been successful.

‘Those players won’t all be successful, though, when they get there because they are competing with each other.

‘So to develop the coping strategies and have some adversity and tougher moments along the way, is brilliant for their development.’