Alex Scott
Alex Scott is liked by Chelsea(Image: Michael Regan - The FA)
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The noise around Alex Scott's future refuses to go away and every conversation seems to include Chelsea.
The Blues are firmly in the race to sign the 23-year-old. If not in January, with Bournemouth understood to be reluctant to sell midway through the season, then Chelsea are set to return for Scott next summer.
Chelsea tried their luck for Scott in this summer's transfer window. The Cherries, however, told the Blues from day dot that they would not entertain any offers for their star midfielder. Sometimes clubs say that but then go back on their word - but that was not the case from Bournemouth's perspective.
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Bournemouth want Scott to sign a contract extension at the Vitality Stadium, with the former Bristol City midfielder's deal set to expire in 2028, but he has already turned down multiple offers of fresh terms from his employers.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Scott. Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, who worked with Scott at Bournemouth, is said to be chasing a reunion with the England international.
Chelsea are considering making a move for a central midfielder when the January transfer window opens after missing out on Scott, as well as AS Monaco star Lamine Camara, in the summer. Scott's start to the season for Bournemouth has only enhanced Chelsea's interest.
Alex Scott
Chelsea are considering making a move for England midfielder Alex Scott in the January transfer window(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA)
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Crucially, Xabi Alonso, since being appointed Chelsea manager, has injected more intensity into his players. The Blues were strongly criticised last season for being too passive on the pitch but Alonso has tried his hardest in his first few months as boss to eradicate that from his players.
Scott is the epitome of a hard-working, intense midfielder who, on paper at least, suits Alonso's style down to a tee. You can see that by his running stats, with FotMob's data having Scott fifth in the list of players in the Premier League with the most distance covered thus far this season, with 57.7km under his belt already.
Only Everton's Harrison Armstrong (60.4km), Brighton's Pascal Groß (59.7km), Brentford's Vitaly Janelt (58.8m) and Leeds United's Anton Stach (58.3km) covered more ground on the pitch in the opening five matches.
In terms of Chelsea's midfielders, Scott is head and shoulders above every single one of them in that respect so far this season. Albeit it feels a bit harsh to include Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo in such a comparison given the midfield duo have made just one appearance each in the Premier League so far.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo has played just 14 minutes this season(Image: May James/AFP)
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Reece James (36.2km) is down in 156th on the list, Malo Gusto in 160th (35.2km), Romeo Lavia in 195th (29.8km) and Valentin Barco in 270th (16.1km). It is worth noting that per 90 minutes, Scott isn't top out of the Chelsea midfielders.
Barco has made just two Premier League appearances since signing from Strasbourg over the summer meaning his distance covered stat is a mere 16.1km but per 90 minutes, he runs a staggering 12.5km. For reference, Scott, one of the Premier League's most energetic players, has recorded an average of 11.7km per 90.
For the most part in the early stages of the campaign, Scott has played alongside Tyler Adams in a double pivot while someone else has been a bit further ahead in the No.10 role. Scott, though, can also be used just behind the striker but has stated in the past that his preference is to be a No.8 a bit further back in midfield.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott
Chelsea remain very interested in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth)
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In an interview with Sky Sports in December 2025, Scott was asked about where he likes to play in the midfield. He said: "I feel like I can play in every position in midfield - No.10, No.8 and No.6, but I feel like No.8 probably suits me best.
"I can do a bit of defending and a bit of attacking. As a No.10, you have to have that killer instinct which I'm always working on. But as No.8, you can do a bit of everything and get involved in the game a lot more.
"It's something I've definitely improved a lot and I want to continue to improve my defensive side of the game too. I think that takes you from a good player to a top player if you can do the defensive and offensive stuff.
"Goals are obviously very important and if you can become a goal-scoring midfielder, that's amazing and you can contribute more to the team.
"But I've got so much that I could work on. I'm still 22, I've got plenty of years left in the game so I'll continue to work like I do in training every day and learn as much as I can."