Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his maiden summons to the senior England squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, let alone playing in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” the player stated previously.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of four and a half years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, though, they released him. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to stay on the island and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at my home with my mates at the weekend because I had missed almost several years of doing that. Getting that slice of youth again was a thing I definitely needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half substitute in their league match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” manager the coach commented at the time.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was chaos,” said the player. “The first day I joined the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within 18 months, even some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his first-team debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make eighty-three league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his adaptability and flexibility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was their best player.
With his ability to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to City and England playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season award, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was voted the club’s player and young player of the Year.
“No doubt, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, the player’s manager at the club, remarked previously.
Less than three months after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His second campaign was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which ruled him out for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained Scott.
“It was yet another setback and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has started this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for football, improving day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
