Teenager Pep called ‘an unbelievable talent’ is a perfect Mount alternative

Sam McGuire

• Updated: 2 Jun 2023 10:13 CDT
• 7 min read

Alex Scott had a season for Bristol City.

It takes something special to be named EFL Championship Young Player of the Season when the team you are playing for finishes 14th. It is even more of a remarkable achievement when you consider the 19-year-old scored just one goal all season and assisted on just four occasions.

These individual awards are usually given to the highest scorers or those with defining moments in a memorable campaign for their clubs.

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Scott beat Amad Diallo and Hayden Hackney to the award.

For context, Diallo scored 14 times for Sunderland in their first season back in the Championship following promotion from League One. Tony Mowbray guided the Black Cats to a surprise sixth-place finish and Diallo’s goals certainly played a part in their successful 2022/23 campaign.

Though Hackney made 20 starts for Middlesbrough during the 2021/22 season, this season was his breakout one. He starred for Michael Carrick’s side in midfield, racking up almost 3,000 minutes in the Championship. He involved himself in seven goals as Boro claimed a fourth-place finish.

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Diallo and Hackney had stellar seasons for teams at the top end of the table. Yet both missed out on the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season accolade to Scott.

That alone should tell you how well the Bristol City youngster did.

Guardiola and Grealish fans

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called the Robins’ No7 an “unbelievable talent” after the Premier League champions faced off against the Championship side in the FA Cup while Jack Grealish, Scott’s favourite player, said the versatile midfielder is a “top, top player”.

According to reports, a host of Premier League clubs including Brentford, Brighton, Liverpool and West Ham are believed to be interested in the teenager, though the €29 million valuation might put a few teams off. However, our Expected Transfer Valuation for Scott is €22m, so perhaps Bristol City are well within their rights to ask for such a fee.

Scott’s stock could further rise too.

Some of the Premier League’s elite clubs have been keeping tabs on Mason Mount’s situation at Chelsea over recent months. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United want to sign the England international while the Blues are seemingly desperate to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

David Ornstein published a piece last week that revealed Mount was favouring a move to Old Trafford right now and this would mean the Reds, the Gunners and Chelsea would have to react to this if that particular move does materialise.

Scott could be viewed as an alternative to Mount.

The two share a number of traits. Both are versatile, really progressive and deceptively impressive at carrying the ball past opponents.

The 19-year-old has racked up over 6,300 minutes since the start of the 2021/22 campaign. A hefty total for a teenager. He’s been deployed on the right of a three, as an attacking midfielder and also in a double pivot.

During the 2021/22 season, the majority of his starts arrived from the right.

In his first full campaign in the first team, he played 2,966 minutes. He wasn’t heavily involved - averaging just 27 passes with a 77% success rate - but he did a lot of good in possession. On a per 90 basis, Scott attempted, on average, 3.6 dribbles and completed over 50%.

The multifunctional midfielder competed for 2.5 aerial duels and won 34% - not a bad success rate for someone who measures in at 5ft8. Scott also made over five interceptions and recovered the ball close to eight times per 90.

He does the dirty work but he’s also fairly progressive on the ball. Scott can use either foot, he excels at making space for himself and others, and he can pick a pass or two.

His role this season has changed a little.

The majority of the 3,394 minutes he’s amassed have come from central areas, though he has still been used on the right side of a front three on occasion.

He’s more involved this term, attempting 34 passes and having an 81% success rate. His attempted dribbles numbers have remained fairly similar - 3.7 per 90 - but his success rate is now coming in at 65%.

Due to being more central, he’s involved in more aerial duels - 4.23 per 90 - and his success rate is still around 35%. Scott is still doing the dirty work too, averaging 3.7 interceptions and eight ball recoveries per 90.

Like Mount, Scott is yet to have a defined role in a team. But there’s so much potential there for him to be a number of things. He isn't in the same sphere as the Chelsea midfielder just yet but there's scope for him to hit those heights if developed properly. It is no wonder so many Premier League clubs are keeping a watchful eye on him.