One To Watch: Cherries have picked best of the bunch in Scott

Dan Fitch
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Alex Scott has moved up to the Premier League with Bournemouth
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Alex Scott's transfer to Bournemouth looks like the perfect match.

The midfielder joined Andoni Iraola's side from Bristol City last week in a £25million deal.

Still only 19 years old, he was recently named as the Championship Young Player of the Season and also selected in the Team of the Season. 

Ahead of Bournemouth's trip to Liverpool at the weekend, we take a look at the qualities that Scott will bring to the South Coast. 

Knee injury

After winning the competition to sign Scott, Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake outlined why they were desperate to get their man. 

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He said: "We are delighted to welcome Alex to the club, who is one of the most exciting young players in Europe. 

"He's a player that has vast experience at such a young age with strong technical ability and a really good footballing brain. 

"Alex will be an excellent fit in our system, and we’re excited to see him continue to develop under Andoni's management." 

Bournemouth signed Scott, despite the 5ft 8in ace having picked up a knee injury in pre-season training that will keep him out for some months. 

His lack of immediate availability will have put off some suitors. The fact that the Cherries saw past that points to their long-term thinking. 

Versatile player

Alex Scott was part of the England team that won the European Under-19 Championship

After being kept safe by Gary O'Neil last season, Bournemouth made the bold move of replacing their manager with Rayo Vallecano coach Iraola. 

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They then set about transforming the squad with young signings. Scott's transfer was announced on the same day that Max Aarons was brought in from Norwich. 

They followed Justin Kluivert, Hamed Traore, Romain Faivre and Milos Kerkez, who have bought more youthful promise to a group that contains few players in their thirties. 

Iraola lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation in the 1-1 draw against West Ham on Saturday, with Ryan Christie employed in the No10 role. 

This would seem the most likely position for Scott to occupy when fit, though the versatile nature of the youngster means that he could also play deeper in a 4-3-3. 

During his time at City, the Guernsey-born footballer anchored the midfield on occasion and featured on both flanks, including as a right wing-back. 

Grealish comparisons

Alex Scott's playing style has been compared to Jack Grealish

It is clear that Scott will be able to slot into a number of possible positions in Iraola's team when fit. 

Unusually for a primarily attacking midfielder, he ranked relatively highly in the Championship for tackles last season. 

The area where he really excelled was drawing fouls, with no other player in England's second-tier recording a better per-game average than Scott's 2.3. 

That dribbling ability, along with his work rate, have seen him compared to Jack Grealish. 

After a 3-0 win against City in the FA Cup last season, the Manchester City star took to Twitter to label Scott a "top, top talent." 

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Pep Guardiola is another fan. The Treble-winning manager described the England Under-20s international as "an unbelievable player." 

With admirers in such high places, Scott looks set to eventually reach the very top of the game. 

For now, Bournemouth would seem the perfect destination. The seaside club can offer regular Premier League football, which will be key to his development.

Tags

Alex ScottAFC BournemouthPremier League

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