Back when the young midfielder made his local team debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
That statement turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions team.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible England player is a proper blast from the past, a journey seldom seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” Scott stated previously.
“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
His football journey has not been a conventional one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that little bit of childhood again was something I really needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and playing local football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute substitute in their league match at the opposition.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – chaired by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a trial in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a total shock.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within 18 months, still well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his adaptability and flexibility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.
With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he won the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, stated previously.
Less than three months later, he joined the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
The midfielder endured a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His following season was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“I had a decent run at the end of the previous campaign, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another setback and the year was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, forming a formidable partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the first team with the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as impressively for his club, playing in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player said recently.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
