Secret Spurs fan and nearly quitting: Five lesser-known facts about Alex Scott as Chelsea lead race

The race is heating up for Scott, with other clubs interested too. But The Telegraph says Chelsea are at the front of the queue for the Bournemouth star, even if Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid have been linked.

Five facts you might not know about Chelsea target Scott

The secret Tottenham fan

Scott initially began his academy years at Southampton, often having to travel back and forth to mainland England from his homeland, Guernsey. He also spent time with Bournemouth before joining Guernsey FC.

Another Alex Scott bid could be imminent, Chelsea fans! It’s time to discuss his valuation…

Despite all of that, Scott is a Tottenham fan because of his Father. It led to him watching and studying Luka Modric for hours, becoming fascinated with the Croatian and trying to base his game on Modric.

Almost quitting football as a teen

Scott was informed after four and a half years in Southampton’s academy, after all the trips across the channel, that he would be released. Then, after a failed Bournemouth spell, Scott considered quitting.

Instead, he joined eighth-tier side Guernsey, which allowed him to play senior football at 16 before Bristol City took a chance on him. Obviously, at Ashton Gate, he finally made his name; the player he is today.

A Southampton trial game against Jamal Musiala’s Chelsea

While trying to get into Southampton’s academy as a kid, Scott had to play against Chelsea’s youth team as he was looking to win a scholarship with the Saints. He lost 8-2 to a side that included Jamal Musiala.

He told Sport Bible: “It ended up 8-2, but I managed to score. It was just a whole different world playing against those players. I remember going back to school the next week and playing school games.

“It was two different sides of the spectrum. Jamal Musiala also played that day, and he’s gone on to become one of the best young players in the world,” Scott continued, recalling his Saints academy days.

Kalvin Phillips knew early on

Having faced Man City with Bristol City in the FA Cup quarter-finals in February 2023, Scott finally came up against the cream of the crop. City were made to work for it by Scott and co, but eventually won 3-0.

In the same interview with Sport Bible, Scott shared how then England hero Kalvin Phillips had some off-field advice for him: “He came up to me and said, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re flying’.”

Making his debut at 16 in Non-League

Scott played 15 times for Guernsey before Bristol City signed the midfielder. It is a completely different route to most footballers, who are not out there playing senior football for another two or three years.

Perhaps, Scott’s ability to withstand pressure and the physicality of bigger players is born out of playing in Non-League at such a young age. Whatever has given him the grounding, Scott is capitalising now.

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