When the young midfielder made his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”
This prediction turned out to be a bit of an underestimation.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with the Cherries, the midfielder has just received his first call-up to the full England team.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a proper blast from the past, a journey rarely told in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the Premier League and representing England as well,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my family.”
So how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Before he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his heart was not in it.
Rather, he opted to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over every week was becoming overwhelming,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. Getting that slice of childhood back was a thing I definitely needed.
“Building some confidence by returning and taking part in island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I had sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance stated back then.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the manner he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Making a comeback to the professional game
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in late 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the second day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in the capital, returned home and by Friday, I took the field for the youth team and netted a three goals. From that point a done deal for me to sign a deal.”
Within a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
He went on to make 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and sometimes further forward as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
Thanks to his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was selected in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I think he will represent England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at Ashton Gate, stated last year.
Less than 90 days after, he signed for Bournemouth for a reported fee of £25m.
Getting his major transfer
The midfielder endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being in and out of the starting XI.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for nearly several months.
“I had quite a good run at the close of the previous campaign, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“That felt like almost another setback and it was shaping up as quite a terrible year for the first half.”
But he was then selected by England for the U21 Euros – and succeeded in get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, forming a strong partnership in midfield with Elliot Anderson, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for his club, featuring in all matches to help them to fifth in the standings.
“Representing the national team would be among the most special occasions of my life,” the player stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to continue developing as a player, keep enjoying the game, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
