Scouting Report: Max Aarons

“In my eyes he is not the young Max Aarons, he is just a special player and he has an unbelievable future. Max is outstanding in many topics. I can’t praise him enough for what he has done since his first appearance. I know he has been labelled as one of the best young players in this league. Well I told him we can reject this label now because he is no longer one of the best young players, he is one of the best players," Norwich City manager Daniel Farke.

It’s a glowing confession. Max Aarons has been magnificent since his debut in 2018. Hammersmith-born and eligible to play for Jamaica, the young right-back has found his home in Norfolk’s capital. Farke’s Norwich City side have averaged the most possession in the Sky Bet Championship this season (69%). On paper, it looks like a 4-2-3-1 system, but as with most modern coaching setups, there is a definitive fluidity in both attacking and defensive phases.

In the attacking phase, which for Norwich is more regular than most, it can look like a 4-2-4, or to a greater extreme a 2-4-4 formation, with the full-backs advancing into midfield roles. Farke has rarely deterred from this shape. I mean, why should he? The 4-2-3-1 gives unparalleled flexibility and an opportunity to exploit the opponent.

Aarons’ rise to a prominent piece of Daniel Farke’s orchestra has been nothing short of outstanding. It was at the start of December that Farke had gushed over the 21-year-old, but with a quote no different to that of a quintessential Football Manager player, he demanded more. He wanted Aarons’ to have a greater influence in Norwich’s end product.