There are few feelings in football quite like watching a young player get their first senior international call-up, and it looks like Alex Scott is about to experience exactly that. The Bournemouth midfielder is reportedly poised to make his England debut in the upcoming World Cup warm-up friendlies being held in the United States, and honestly, it feels like a well-earned opportunity.
Scott has been one of those players that proper football watchers have had circled for a while. He is calm on the ball, intelligent in tight spaces, and has that quality of making the game look a little easier than it actually is. Bournemouth have had a decent season and a lot of that is down to the kind of composure their midfield has shown, with Scott right at the centre of it.
England have been on a bit of a journey in terms of finding the right balance in midfield. There is no shortage of options, which is both a nice problem to have and also a slightly frustrating one depending on who you support. But bringing in Scott for these friendlies makes a lot of sense. World Cup warm-up games are exactly the right stage to have a proper look at players who deserve a chance without the pressure of a tournament knockout situation breathing down everyone's neck.
At his age and with the form he has shown at club level, Scott fits the profile of someone who could genuinely push for a regular spot in that England setup over the coming years. These friendlies in the States give him the chance to show Southgate what he can do against decent opposition, with a bit of freedom to express himself.
It would be brilliant to see him take that chance and put down a marker. England fans are always hungry for the next generation to step up, and Scott looks like the kind of player who could be part of that picture for a long time if he hits the ground running here.
Let me know your thoughts.