Player Analysis: Alex Scott
Alex Scott has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in English football. He’s been the standout player for Bristol City this season and appears destined for a Premier League move in the near future. The talented midfielder is still just 19 years old, which excites many clubs about his enormous potential in the long term, but he’s already begun to show his readiness to play football at the highest level. Bristol City will certainly receive a record transfer fee for their midfield starlet when the transfer window re-opens this summer.
Born in Guernsey in 2003, Alex Scott made his debut for Guernsey Football Club at 16 years old following short stints with the academies of both Southampton and Bournemouth. He joined Bristol City’s youth team in January 2020 before eventually making his first-team debut in August 2021, weeks before his 18th birthday.
Since then, Scott hasn’t looked back and has quickly become a key player for a Bristol City side looking likely to maintain its EFL Championship status this season. In February 2023, Scott was named the EFL Young Player of the Month for the first time, but his excellent performances long-preceded that particular award.
Alex Scott is a versatile midfielder, comfortable in a number of roles, from sitting in a more conservative pivot to operating as the most advanced midfielder tasked with creating chances. His best role likely lies somewhere in between as a roaming playmaker with box-to-box freedom. He possesses all of the technical attributes one would desire in a no. 8 and the physical qualities to make the step up to Premier League football.
Photo: Alex Scott’s take-ons [FBRef]
Alex Scott is a smooth and confident dribbler of the ball, attempting 3.03 take-ons per 90 and completing 1.25 take-ons per 90, ranking him in the 94th and 87th percentiles respectively when compared with positional peers in men’s next 8 competitions. These are extremely impressive numbers, not least for a teenager in a very difficult league. He truly possesses dancing feet and slaloms past challenges with grace.
Alex Scott’s Dribble vs. Sheffield United [WyScout]
He evidently has plenty of self-belief in his abilities and is committed to playing football in his way by maximising those abilities. He’s an extraordinarily elegant footballer, but he’s also a powerful runner. He’s capable of carrying the ball significant distances without losing control, similar to the likes of Frenkie de Jong — a midfielder with whom Alex Scott shares many similarities, although Scott’s game is obviously less refined.
Alex Scott’s Carries [FBRef]
Scott is an exceptional ball carrier. He glides past defenders with ease, using his remarkable poise and composure to retain possession. He’s aggressive in his carrying but secure and rarely ever reckless, which are qualities one would expect from a far more experienced player. This makes Scott an incredibly progressive player, which suits a number of systems and styles. The England U20 international is far beyond his years technically and mentally and he plays with a fearlessness that simply cannot be learned.
Alex Scott’s Dribble vs. Sheffield United
Scott’s ability to dribble and carry at such a high level lends itself to his comfort in a number of midfield roles. He can operate as a first-phase ball progressor and controller, a box-to-box midfielder with the freedom to roam, or the most advanced playmaker looking to fashion chances for teammates. The latter two roles make the best use of his skillset and are unsurprisingly his most common roles for club and country.
He ranks in the 87th percentile for through balls and has registered a goal and 5 assists for Bristol City this season. He evidently has an eye for a pass and he’s a willing risk-taker in the final third, often trying to make the killer pass that might lead to a goal. With such a diverse skillset, it’s no surprise that a number of clubs with vastly different systems are interested in Bristol City’s mercurial midfield talent and are willing to splash the cash to acquire him.
With Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers having registered significant interest in Alex Scott — as well as Newcastle United keeping a close eye on him — a Premier League move is almost a certainty for the Guernsey-born star. Having made appearances for England’s U18, U19 and U20 teams, including playing a major role in England’s U19 European Championship-winning side, he certainly looks like a potential senior England international in the not-too-distant future.
Following Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Bristol City in the 5th round of the FA Cup, Pep Guardiola described Alex Scott as an “unbelievable player” — high praise from one of the greatest managers of all-time and an elite identifier of talent. A move to a side like Manchester City may be too early, but on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why such a move can’t become a reality in the future for Alex Scott.
With Bristol City fully aware of the prodigious talent they have on their hands, it could very well take up to £30 million to secure his signature, but the more Alex Scott plays football, the more reasonable that fee becomes for Premier League sides.
By: Lebohang Mwamuka / @lebzygold
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Tim Goode – PA Images