Alex Scott’s England debut postponed as Tuchel finalises squad
Alex Scott’s long-awaited England debut has been pushed back after Thomas Tuchel omitted the Bournemouth midfielder from his matchday squad for Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, reports BritPanorama.
The 20-year-old, who received his first senior call-up only six days ago, will have to watch from the stands alongside Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Tuchel was required to reduce his group to 23 players for the fixture under UEFA regulations, having named a 25-man squad for the double header against Serbia and Albania.
Guehi’s absence is due to a foot injury that has troubled him all week. The Palace centre-back will be monitored over the weekend, with England staff set to decide whether he should return to his club rather than travel with the squad to Albania.
While Scott’s situation is less alarming, Tuchel is believed to have made his selection decision with the upcoming game in mind, indicating that the midfielder is still firmly in the plans for the second match. England staff have informed him he can expect minutes from the bench if the game situation allows.
Scott has reflected on the significance of his selection following a remarkable rise through the lower leagues. He expressed, “I’m over the moon. It is everything I dreamed for. Six years ago, I was playing non-league football and I wasn’t even sure if I was going to make it as a football player, so to now be in the England senior team is a dream come true.”
Despite the disappointment of not playing at Wembley, Scott has trained well and impressed coaches with his composure and tactical adaptability. His performances at Bournemouth have been closely monitored by England’s analysts, which solidified his position in contention for a midfield spot.
Moreover, Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, recovering from a minor hamstring issue, has been passed fit and is expected to be available for selection during the international window.
With an exciting future ahead, Scott remains focused, stressing that the World Cup is an aspiration worth pursuing while prioritising the present. These international fixtures serve as critical stepping stones for players navigating the complex landscape of senior football.
