Reading FC's former winger Femi Azeez has been backed by Teddy Sheringham, who believes the Millwall wide man is better than Jarrod Bowen. Azeez has flourished since leaving the Royals for Millwall in 2024 and became one of the Championship's standout attacking players last season, registering 11 goals and eight assists in 35 league appearances as the Lions reached the play-off semi-finals.
What happened?
Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Sheringham spoke highly of Azeez, saying: "Femi Azeez has been a revelation. I can't believe he's still at Millwall, to be honest. I love him. "He's a left-footed right winger that just puts the ball in areas for the centre-forwards to attack where defenders don't like the ball being delivered, and whether it's right foot, left foot, he is phenomenal. "He's a real talent. Worth turning up to see and pay the ticket price for him alone. He's always going to do something special. I can't keep my eyes off him."
Why it matters for Reading
Azeez developed through Reading's academy and made 127 senior appearances for the club before joining Millwall, initially for a fee reported to be around £1.2 million. He had shown flashes of his quality at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, but has taken his game to another level in the Championship.
What comes next?
The 25-year-old's form has reportedly attracted interest from Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, with Millwall facing a fight to retain a player who has become central to Alex Neil's side. Azeez's immediate focus is likely to be recovering from a hamstring issue sustained in Millwall's Championship win at Bristol City on August 15. Neil said the winger felt discomfort before being substituted after 30 minutes, with subsequent reports suggesting the problem could keep him out for one to two weeks.
Sheringham's praise
Sheringham, who won 51 England caps and scored 11 international goals, particularly praised Azeez's delivery and ability to beat a defender even when opponents know what is coming. "The best feedback you can get as a winger is when your full-back knows exactly what you're going to do, and you do it anyway," Sheringham said. "And Femi Azeez - how he's able to manoeuvre it one way or the other and get the ball delivered along that six-yard line - he's incredible."
The title race
Reading are currently 40 points behind leaders Lincoln in the League One table, with a goal difference of +4. The Royals have scored 64 goals this season and conceded 60, with a recent form of 0W-2D-3L (LLDDL, most recent first). They next face Oxford United away on September 8.
Sheringham's comparison
The former England forward then made an eye-catching comparison, placing Azeez above both West Ham's Bowen and Chelsea winger Mohammed Kudus. "How he's still at Millwall, I don't know," Sheringham added. "I would have expected one of the second tier of Premier League clubs to come in for him. "There's so many left-footers who play on the right but I compare him to Mohammed Kudus and Femi Azeez is a better player. Jarrod Bowen? He's better than him. I think he's quality."
Sheringham's final thoughts
Sheringham added: "When you can do what he does, week in, week out, with every team trying to stop you, you're an unbelievable player. "I'm so surprised he's still there but delighted he is. As long as you've got someone like that on the football pitch, you've got a chance of doing special things, and I hope he can take Millwall up in a very special season this year. I just hope his injury isn't anything too serious."
Current context
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 12th in League One, 63 pts, 16W-15D-15L from 46 games, recent form LDLLL. Goals this season: 64 scored, 60 conceded (+4 goal difference). Title race: 40 points behind leaders Lincoln. Last result: Reading 0-1 Blackpool (2026-05-02). Recent form (last 5): 0W-2D-3L (LLDDL, most recent first); lost the last 2. Next fixture: vs Oxford United (away, 2026-09-08).
