Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Alex Scott is keen on joining Chelsea because of Xabi Alonso duo
Scott is a priority for Chelsea, with reports claiming the Blues are leading the race for the Bournemouth star ahead of the January window. Bournemouth are desperate to keep Scott at least until next summer.
According to TeamTalk, though, Scott is keen on joining Chelsea. Apparently, the chance to play alongside Rogers and Palmer appeals to Scott, who would form an exciting midfield duo with Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea do have midfield options. Henderson was excellent on Saturday, Caicedo is back from injury, Romeo Lavia earned Zinedine Zidane praise during the break, and Valentin Barco remains an option.
Does Scott suit Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system at Chelsea?
The way Chelsea play sees Pedro Neto – an attacking winger naturally – and Pep Chavarria playing as full-backs. Both love to bomb on, with Chavarria getting an assist for Pedro on Saturday, his second goal.
With wing-backs bombing on, sometimes a centre-back stepping out of the back line, and the three forwards left to their own devices, having two midfielders that can be trusted to sit deep and cover is key.
Scott is a playmaker. He is technically excellent, but he has that defensive aggression and tenacity that is required at the base of the midfield. Does he have the defensive mindset of Henderson? Probably not.
But he is a player that Chelsea do not have. Barco, Henderson and Lavia are all double-pivot players, but Scott offers something different – the ability to start attacks from deep. He can be the base for Chelsea.