Bournemouth are unhappy after Alex Scott was injured with England, and the club now face up to eight weeks without their midfielder. The 23-year-old felt a thigh issue before Saturday’s 7-0 win over Croatia but played 70 minutes before being substituted, and he has since withdrawn from the England squad ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic.
In his Monday news conference, England coach Thomas Tuchel described the injury as “a strange one”. He supported the choice to leave Scott on the field, citing only green signals from both Scott himself and the medical team.
“I’m very sad about it. He trained in full before Croatia, did extra work after the training sessions, we knew he was in treatment but there were only green lights from him and the medics,” Tuchel said.
“When we were aware there was slight discomfort during the match and asked if he wanted to come off he said no. After the match, he said he could have played 90 minutes and didn’t feel an injury. Even before the scan he didn’t feel injured so it’s a strange one. There was zero risk taken from our side.”
The Injury That Troubled Bournemouth
There is frustration at Bournemouth over how England handled the situation, according to sources. The club was aware that Scott was dealing with a thigh injury.
Bournemouth will be without Scott for nine games, as his quadriceps injury keeps him out for a projected span of six to eight weeks. The Cherries play from 10 October through 8 November during his time on the sidelines.
Bournemouth’s fixture list is relentless. They face Sturm Graz, AC Milan and Sparta Prague in the Europa League, along with Aston Villa in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. On top of their weekend Premier League matches, they will play midweek, either on Wednesday or Thursday, for four straight weeks.
Konsa Also Out
Ezri Konsa, the Arsenal defender, is not taking part in the Wembley fixture as a precautionary step. The 28-year-old is going back to the Premier League champions for treatment on an injury.
Tuchel said that Konsa’s issues were “nothing major but not worth the risk taking.” The centre-back first missed the match with the Czech Republic in Prague on 29 September and then sustained an injury against Croatia.
“Ezri felt discomfort when he came into camp, played with it against Spain and it got a bit worse so he stayed in camp and tried everything for the match against the Czech Republic and it came too soon,” Tuchel added.
“Unfortunately, he got another hit on the quad and that caused a light trauma and we decided not to let him play through this pain, so he left camp to get treatment for both his issues now.”
Scott’s Early Promise With England
Scott made his England debut in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, before his full debut four days later. Tuchel was effusive with his praise after that first start.
“First start and what a start, what a performance,” Tuchel said. “He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level. He plays with so much confidence. He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball. He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch.”
Bournemouth’s injury list has grown again. Scott, who was set to make his mark soon, is now sidelined. French forward Eli Junior Kroupi is already out with an ankle issue, and Scott joins him there. The 20-year-old remains out of action after picking up a foot problem during pre-season.
Bournemouth’s Struggle So Far
The Cherries sit 17th in the Premier League and are winless after five matches. They have drawn three times and lost twice.
Marco Rose’s side did defeat Lincoln to progress in the EFL Cup, and they won 2-1 at La Liga side Real Sociedad on their European debut. They return to Premier League action at Chelsea on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Before the November international break, Bournemouth face Sunderland, Manchester United, Leeds and Ipswich.
Key Facts Box
- Injury length: Six to eight weeks
- Games missed: Nine, including Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures
- Next fixture: Chelsea at home on Saturday, 15:00 BST
- Scott’s debut: First start in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, followed by full debut four days later
- Konsa’s issue: Nothing major but not worth the risk taking
- Bournemouth position: 17th in the Premier League, winless after five matches, drawing three times and losing twice
Nine games stand between Bournemouth and Scott’s return, and the team must manage without him. The fixture list is harsh, and the list of absent players keeps getting longer.
Bournemouth’s depth has taken a hit with Scott and Kroupi both out, and the November international break does nothing to help the situation.
Source material: “Bournemouth unhappy after Scott injured with England,” the BBC.
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