Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is set to embrace the opportunity presented by his first senior England call-up under new manager Thomas Tuchel. The 22-year-old, who earned the moniker "Guernsey Grealish" during his time at Bristol City, has impressed Tuchel with his performances, securing a place in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. England will face Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, November 13, and then travel to Tirana to play Albania three days later.
Tuchel, who was appointed as England's head coach in October and will begin his role on January 1, 2025, succeeding Gareth Southgate, has highlighted Scott's pivotal role in the Under-21s' European Championship victory last summer. Tuchel noted, "Alex deserves to be with us" and praised Scott's consistent performance as a regular starter for Bournemouth. He also mentioned that Scott will be assigned a number eight role, expressing hope that he will showcase his talent and personality.
Scott's journey to the England squad has been far from conventional. From the age of eight, he would leave school early on Fridays to travel from Guernsey to the English mainland for soccer practice with Southampton and later Bournemouth. Despite being released by Southampton at 12 and later facing injury setbacks after joining Bournemouth in 2023, including a broken jaw in May, Scott has persevered.
Scott reflected on his unusual path and the sacrifices his parents made, stating, "It took a lot for our parents, you know, the amount of money they were paying and the dedication they put in for us to dream to be footballers". He also acknowledged his step-sister, Maya Le Tissier, who plays for the England women's team, and their shared "islander mentality," which he describes as "fearless".
The midfielder's style of play, characterized by his adventure and freedom in midfield, earned him comparisons to Jack Grealish. However, his role evolved after his move to Bournemouth, requiring greater tactical discipline and defensive responsibility. Despite these changes, Scott's Guernsey roots remain a significant part of his identity.
Tuchel's appointment marks a new chapter for the England national team, with the German becoming only the third non-British manager to take the helm. The FA's decision to recruit Tuchel, who has signed an 18-month contract, reflects their ambition to bring in a world-class coach with a proven track record. Tuchel's impressive list of coaching honors includes league titles in France and Germany, as well as a Champions League title with Chelsea in 2021.
With England already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in North America, Scott's inclusion in the squad signals Tuchel's intent to integrate young talent and build a team capable of competing at the highest level. As Scott prepares to make his mark on the international stage, his determination and "fearless" attitude will undoubtedly be valuable assets to Tuchel's England squad.
