Alex Scott is enjoying a breakthrough season. Not only has the 22-year-old established himself in Bournemouth’s starting line-up, he was also called up to his first senior England squad in November.
And perhaps it’s no coincidence that his appearance came off the back of a win at this summer’s U21 Euros, of which Scott was a key part.
The midfielder took that confidence and ran with it. He has started 14 of Bournemouth’s 15 Premier League matches this season as the Cherries eye a boost to European football.
After making his home on the south coast since joining from Bristol City in August 2023, Scott is finally showing his quality on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Explaining how he ended up in Bournemouth, Scott exclusively told Ski Sports on the launch of PUMA’s new flagship store on Oxford Street: “Playing consistently and getting games going is something I’ve missed since coming to Bournemouth and injuries have played a big part in that as well as performances.
Alex Scott attended the opening of the PUMA store alongside fellow Premier League footballers Morgan Rodgers, James Maddison and Destiny Udogi
“In the past two years, the team has played so well and there are other players who have played so well in those positions that it has been difficult for them to break through, especially with a few injuries.”
“Mentally, injury is the hardest period for footballers. You don’t do what you love and the sessions you have to do are sometimes hard and tiring.
“It’s almost harder when you’re injured, physically, than when you’re playing, but I have a great family that’s always there for me and a great friendship group that knows when I’m not feeling well.”
“I also have a great partner who looked after me a lot when I was on crutches and couldn’t do anything. It was good to have the right people around you and you learn a lot about yourself.”
“All you want to do is get back and when you do, you want to make sure you do everything right so you’re not in that position again. You can be unlucky and injuries happen, but I’m thankful and grateful now that I feel like I’ve gotten over those injuries.
“And this year, I think the Euros gave me a lot of confidence going into the season, so I took it and I’ve been playing (regularly) ever since. I’m really happy, I’m playing the most games I’ve played in a row and I’m enjoying every minute.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Although he did not earn his first senior England cap last month, the experience itself is huge for a young player like Scott.
“It was a surreal experience, first of all,” Scott said ahead of Bournemouth. Monday Night Football clash with Manchester United, live Ski Sports.
“Growing up, you idolize these players and to be there, sitting in the same room, on the same pitch, in the same dressing room with them, it was an amazing feeling.
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“I tried to get as much as I could on and off the pitch – learn about the style of play the manager wants because that’s important if you want to go to the second camp with them.”
“Then from the players, how they take care of themselves, what they do outside of football and then on the field. I think that speaks for itself. Some of the talent on that team, it’s amazing to be a part of.”
“I knew a few of the players anyway, so they definitely helped me fit into the group. I’m thankful they were there to help me adapt a little bit.”
Playing for England in the senior team is one of Scott’s career goals – as is playing in the Champions League. At 22, both are very much possible, and the midfielder is relishing the variety that comes with the No.8 – but he still has a lot of work to do to go from, in his own words, a good player to a top player.
“I feel like I can play every position in midfield – No. 10, No. 8 and No. 6, but I feel that No. 8 probably suits me best,” he added.
“I can defend a bit and attack a bit. As a number 10, you have to have that killer instinct which I’m always working on. But as a #8, you can do a little bit of everything and get into the game a lot more.
PUMA has opened a new flagship store on Oxford Street
“That’s something I’ve definitely improved a lot and I want to continue to improve my defensive side of the game as well. I think it takes you from a good player to a top player if you can do things defensively and offensively.”
“Goals are obviously very important and if you become a goalscoring midfielder it’s amazing and you can contribute more to the team.
“But I have so much to work on. I’m still 22, I’ve got a lot of years left in the game, so I’m going to keep working like I do in training every day and learn as much as I can.”