Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This prediction turned out to be something of an underestimation.
Today aged 22 and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his maiden summons to the senior England team.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential England player is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of becoming a professional football player, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” Scott stated in a recent interview.
“It’s been a incredible five or six years of my life, and things have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself at this level?
Developing in the lower tiers
His path in football has been far from a conventional one.
He was part of four and a half years in the Saints’ academy setup from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and feature for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave Scott an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood again was something I really required.
“Building some confidence by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. It was perhaps one of the most important things that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott became the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League match at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss the coach commented back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.
“Midweek I played for his local side in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut versus Luton.
Scott made 83 league appearances for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and England playmaker Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he won the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was voted the club’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked previously.
Within 90 days after, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
The midfielder endured a difficult debut campaign with the Cherries, waiting until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in the summer, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a surgery which ruled him out for almost several months.
“I had quite a good run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like yet another obstacle and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in regain fitness in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the competition in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has excelled for the first team under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign equally as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my life,” the player said earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
