BOURNEMOUTH MAN CITY
Vitality Stadium: KO 5.30pm
BOURNEMOUTH midfielder Alex Scott still regards it as the ultimate compliment because of who it came from.
Pep Guardiola called Scott “an unbelievable player” after he played for Bristol City against Manchester City in the FA Cup last season.
It is no surprise that the respect is very much mutual as Bournemouth prepare to face Guardiola’s all-conquering City.
“To hear that from who I regard as one of the best managers of all time, it was amazing,” said Scott.
“My mum enjoyed it probably even more than me! He didn’t have to say that but to say it about an opposition player shows the respect he has and why he’s gone so far.
“Guardiola was incredible at Barcelona with that great team with Lionel Messi. I grew up with Guardiola as a manager. “Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Messi doing his magic.
“He had brilliant midfielders at Bayern
Munich with Thiago and now he’s at Man City with Rodri who, for me, is one of the best players in the Premier League.”
Since joining Bournemouth for £25million last summer, life in the Premier League has been a challenge for the former Robins favourite.
But it is one that he is enjoying under Andoni Iraola who, Scott says, has pushed him to be a better all-round player.
The 20-year-old has six goal contributions in 14 games, scored his first Premier League goal at Tottenham and also netted in a 5-0 FA Cup win against Swansea (below).
It took time for Iraola to impose his philosophy, but now the Cherries are one of the best teams to watch as they play with great attacking threat.
Scott (circled) said: “It’s a massive step up, not just the teams you are playing but also tactically, physically and technically. Sometimes in the Championship, the ball can be up in the air, flying over your head whereas it’s on the floor in the Premier League.
“We have so many meetings, work on the grass and it’s made me look at football in a different way.
“I have to give credit to the manager and coaching staff for their ideas and when we execute them well, we’re tough to beat.
“His ideas were different – his style of play with the high press – but it’s been so enjoyable.
“I knew I’d get my chance here if I impressed in training and that was a big incentive. I’ve looked to improve and push myself. But if you want to be a top midfielder in the world then it really helps if you can play all three positions – the six, eight and the ten. “I’m developing and if I can learn and improve then it will only push me.”
Scott regards City as the finest team he has faced in the Premier League and Rodri as the best opponent – but he also has huge respect for a fellow England midfielder. Guernsey-born Scott says playing for the Three Lions and winning the under-19s Euros is a career highlight so far.
And he admits he is inspired by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
Scott said: “You have to try to learn from Jude. For any young player in England, he’s the perfect person to look up to. He’s only 20 and is leading one of the best teams in the world.
“Jude has an aura about him. For all the young kids, growing up wanting to be a footballer, he’s the perfect person to look up to and learn from.
“He speaks so well, he’s got a great family around him. He’s the best in the world.
“Playing for England is a different challenge and means so much to me.
“You are going away with a different squad, it teaches you about yourself, you have to grow up a bit, interact with different people.”