“I just want to come in and be brave and play the way I know.” So says Alex Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder called into the England seniors for the first time. He’s only 22 but it’s been quite a journey for the childhood Spurs fan to get here, sitting at Hotspur Way this afternoon, chatting away excitedly before England training. “Six years ago, I was playing non-League football for Guernsey FC. I wasn't even sure I was going to make it as a football player. So to now be in the England senior team, it's a dream come true.” You fully appreciate Scott’s youth when he talks about his fondest England memory. “The tournament I remember properly would be the 2018 World Cup where it was very successful, and England not too far away from winning it.” He remembers the hope when Kieran Trippier gave England the early lead against Croatia in the semi-final in Moscow. “That was the one where I feel like everyone was dreaming. Trippier scored the free-kick and you're watching it with your friends, your family, drinks are flying everywhere. “We all watch the tournaments growing up as kids. That's where you want to be. If I impress and show what I can do, I'd love to be on that plane in the summer. It can be a daunting experience to come into the senior team for your first time, but it's important I show the ability I have.” Scott showed his ability and versatility in winning the Under-19 Euros in 2022 and then the Under-21 Euros this summer, on that occasion mainly alongside Elliot Anderson in central midfield. “I prefer playing as a No 8. I feel like I can do a bit more of everything. I've played 6 before in the Euros, I was a little bit deeper and Elliot was further forward. “We just understand each other very well. In the summer, the way we'd play it suited each other quite well. We knew when he was bombing on that I’d sit back and likewise when I’d push forward, he knew when to sit. He's an unbelievable player. Everyone has seen what he's done in an England shirt and a (Nottingham) Forest shirt as well shows the level he's at.” Scott also looks to La Liga for inspiration: Pedri, Barcelona’s elegant midfielder, and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, who he trains with at Hotspur Way later today. “Pedri is probably one of my favourite players in the world. Jude may be a bit more advanced (positionally), but these are the type of players that I look at, especially growing up. Jude's the same age as me, but it feels like he's been around for 10 years. They've been doing it at the top level for so long now and won countless things for their clubs. Both are top players and you try and learn from them. Declan Rice as well.” He has an England inspiration closer to home. Maya Le Tissier, the Lionesses defender, is his step-sister. “Growing up, we'd fly over every weekend together. She'd have her games for Hampshire and I'd be playing for Southampton as a kid. It took a lot, especially for our parents, the amount of money they were paying and the amount of dedication they put in to dream to be footballers. She's flying for Man United and for the Lionesses as well. So, I couldn't be prouder of her.” After being released by Southampton, Scott played for Guernsey FC and was then signed by Bristol City. “I had a great time at Bristol City where I suffered no injuries whatsoever. Then you finally get your dream move to the Premier League (to Bournemouth for £25m in 2023) and as soon as you go in, you're out for two, three months (with a knee injury). That was tough to take. Then, almost since then, it's been injury on injury (meniscus). Then I go and break my jaw, the third last game of the season.” Scott wore a mask at the Under-21 Euros. He's only just turned 22 but has matured quickly at Bournemouth, becoming more tactically disciplined. “At Bristol City when I was 18, 19, I had a lot of freedom on the pitch and then I signed to Bournemouth in the Premier League and the tactical stance on things is a whole different world. It took me a while to adapt. I found it tough at first. I learned a lot more about the game. My defensive capabilities now are a lot better than what they were back then.” He clearly loves life at Bournemouth. “The whole family culture at Bournemouth is massive, we're all in it together. It shows this season how we started how close we are on the pitch and off. Even away from the training ground we're meeting up, going to lunch, going for coffees.” And Scott now dreaming of the World Cup #AFCB #ENG
