Marc Churchill

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

My Starboy

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

“I just want to come in and be brave and play the way I know.” So says Alex Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder called into the England seniors for the first time. He’s only 22 but it’s been quite a journey for the childhood Spurs fan to get here, sitting at Hotspur Way this afternoon, chatting away excitedly before England training.

“Six years ago, I was playing non-League football for Guernsey FC. I wasn't even sure I was going to make it as a football player. So to now be in the England senior team, it's a dream come true.”

You fully appreciate Scott’s youth when he talks about his fondest England memory. “The tournament I remember properly would be the 2018 World Cup where it was very successful, and England not too far away from winning it.” He remembers the hope when Kieran Trippier gave England the early lead against Croatia in the semi-final in Moscow. “That was the one where I feel like everyone was dreaming. Trippier scored the free-kick and you're watching it with your friends, your family, drinks are flying everywhere.

“We all watch the tournaments growing up as kids. That's where you want to be. If I impress and show what I can do, I'd love to be on that plane in the summer. It can be a daunting experience to come into the senior team for your first time, but it's important I show the ability I have.”

Scott showed his ability and versatility in winning the Under-19 Euros in 2022 and then the Under-21 Euros this summer, on that occasion mainly alongside Elliot Anderson in central midfield. “I prefer playing as a No 8. I feel like I can do a bit more of everything. I've played 6 before in the Euros, I was a little bit deeper and Elliot was further forward.

“We just understand each other very well. In the summer, the way we'd play it suited each other quite well. We knew when he was bombing on that I’d sit back and likewise when I’d push forward, he knew when to sit. He's an unbelievable player. Everyone has seen what he's done in an England shirt and a (Nottingham) Forest shirt as well shows the level he's at.”

Scott also looks to La Liga for inspiration: Pedri, Barcelona’s elegant midfielder, and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, who he trains with at Hotspur Way later today. “Pedri is probably one of my favourite players in the world. Jude may be a bit more advanced (positionally), but these are the type of players that I look at, especially growing up. Jude's the same age as me, but it feels like he's been around for 10 years. They've been doing it at the top level for so long now and won countless things for their clubs. Both are top players and you try and learn from them. Declan Rice as well.”

He has an England inspiration closer to home. Maya Le Tissier, the Lionesses defender, is his step-sister. “Growing up, we'd fly over every weekend together. She'd have her games for Hampshire and I'd be playing for Southampton as a kid. It took a lot, especially for our parents, the amount of money they were paying and the amount of dedication they put in to dream to be footballers. She's flying for Man United and for the Lionesses as well. So, I couldn't be prouder of her.”

After being released by Southampton, Scott played for Guernsey FC and was then signed by Bristol City. “I had a great time at Bristol City where I suffered no injuries whatsoever. Then you finally get your dream move to the Premier League (to Bournemouth for £25m in 2023) and as soon as you go in, you're out for two, three months (with a knee injury). That was tough to take. Then, almost since then, it's been injury on injury (meniscus). Then I go and break my jaw, the third last game of the season.” Scott wore a mask at the Under-21 Euros.

He's only just turned 22 but has matured quickly at Bournemouth, becoming more tactically disciplined. “At Bristol City when I was 18, 19, I had a lot of freedom on the pitch and then I signed to Bournemouth in the Premier League and the tactical stance on things is a whole different world. It took me a while to adapt. I found it tough at first. I learned a lot more about the game. My defensive capabilities now are a lot better than what they were back then.”

He clearly loves life at Bournemouth. “The whole family culture at Bournemouth is massive, we're all in it together. It shows this season how we started how close we are on the pitch and off. Even away from the training ground we're meeting up, going to lunch, going for coffees.” And Scott now dreaming of the World Cup #AFCB #ENG

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Buckland away

[Domino's Pizza UK @Dominos_UK]

what football moment left you like this

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

That is absolutely shocking, this is the trouble isn’t it.

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

@CalumOvey @SkySports Yup…. Love itttt

[AFC Bournemouth 🍒 @afcbournemouth]

His first-ever call up to the senior @England squad 🦁🦁🦁

Couldn't be prouder of you, @AlexScott_7 ❤️🖤

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

@gwynbcfc

[Canary Cast @CastCanary]

Shane Duffy arguing with Liam Manning on the pitch and hooked at half time, such a good, experienced influence for the football club #ncfc

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Sad

[Benonwine @benonwine]

People like this should never be allowed to have animals he should be banned for life. 😡😡😡😡

Animal Cruelty makes me so made!

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Told you he was mustard @tom20_mu

[The 44 ⚽️ @The_Forty_Four]

Manchester United loanee, Radek Vitek, had a howler mistake for Bristol City yesterday🧤😬

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

@DomAplin @ilfcombeafc Maybe 70….

[Wooks @_W00KS_]

Fucking hell, these lads, left us with pure class.

150 million quid right there.

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

@tom20_mu Yeah if me and you built it

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Adam Randell by the way. Jeeeez.

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Mancini or Dyche, absolute polar opposite.. this owner is of his rocker

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🌳 Nottingham Forest are closing in on appointment of Sean Dyche as new head coach.

After Roberto Mancini talks collapsed as revealed yesterday, deal being finalised with Dyche who’s ready to accept.

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

@joeal90 How is that not a pen

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Foreigners have killed our game and foreign owners the most.

[Ryan Brett @RyanBrett3]

3 wins on the spin. Superb tonight from all the lads, proper performance 💛⚽️ @PlymouthPFC

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Gary Neville is a funny old lad ain’t he

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Can’t wait to not get tickets again

[Liam Gallagher @liamgallagher]

Big announcement coming soon keep your eyes peeled

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Luke Arkless

[Second Tier podcast @secondtierpod]

You’re a goal down…

You've got a beautiful cross which has been whipped into the box in the 92nd minute…

Name the player - past or present - who you would want on the end of that cross… 👀

[Marc Churchill @MarcChurchill6]

Adam Poole

[François Plateau @francoisplateau]

The thing I hate most about football is when defenders get free kicks for this