Nigel Pearson is convinced that Bristol City starlet Alex Scott ‘will play for England’ as Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Newcastle eye the £25 million-rated playmaker, speaking to the Irish Examiner.
Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to the 19-year-old string-puller is that he didn’t look out of place against truly elite-level opposition; Bristol City holding their own despite an eventual 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday.
It wasn’t quite the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ versus the real thing. Man City’s £100 million record signing only came on for the final 20 minutes at Ashton Gate. But Scott certainly emerged from a scrap with Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez with his reputation not only unscathed but enhanced.
“He’s almost in the shop window tonight,” Manchester United legend Roy Keane pointed out during on ITV’s coverage of the fifth round tie.
“I’ve seen him a number of times. Everything about him looks like a top footballer with his movement and his control. Everything looks comfortable.”
Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle like Bristol City’s Alex Scott
The big test was whether Scott could emulate those dazzling second-tier performances against the Premier League champions. He certainly did that. If scouts from Tottenham, West Ham, Newcastle and co were keeping tabs on Scott as City came to town – and they almost certainly were – they’d have had nothing but praise for his performance (The Sun).
“He was a really scrawny-looking 17-year-old (when he arrived at Bristol City),” the experienced Pearson recalls. “But he caught the eye very quickly.
“He will go on to great things. He will play for England, the senior side. There’s no doubt.”
Bristol City reportedly want around £25 million for Scott. Arguably the most exciting teenager in the EFL is almost certain to become The Robins’ record departure. He will almost certainly overtake the likes of Jonathan Kodjia, Lloyd Kelly, Antoine Semenyo and Adam Webster; all of whom departed for in excess of £10 million.
Scott has five assists so far this season. A tally of 10 yellow cards, meanwhile, highlights a snappier side of his game; tenacity and technique.
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