Alex Scott has been forced to withdraw from England's recent international roster after sustaining a tendon problem during the 7-0 demolition of Croatia. Despite Thomas Tuchel’s insistence that there were no warning signs before the midfielder took the field on Saturday, the injury has now been deemed serious enough to require further medical scrutiny.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, Scott will be returning to his club, Bournemouth, for a comprehensive assessment. The club’s medical team will conduct a series of scans and tests to determine the full extent of the damage and to formulate a rehabilitation plan. Early indications suggest that the recovery period could stretch over several weeks, although the exact timeline will depend on the results of the forthcoming imaging and the player’s response to treatment.
In a press conference held before England’s match against the Czech Republic, Tuchel offered more detail about the circumstances surrounding the injury. He emphasized that there was no indication prior to the Croatia game that Scott was at risk.
"With Alex it’s a strange case," Tuchel said, visibly disappointed. "He trained in both sessions before the match and even did extra work after training. We knew he was under treatment, but we received clearance from both him and the medical staff. When we noticed a slight discomfort during the game, we asked if he wanted to be substituted.
He chose to stay on." Tuchel continued, describing the puzzling nature of the situation: "After the match he told us it felt like the right decision, that he could have played the full 90 minutes and didn’t feel any injury at the time, even on the flight back to London before the scan. The scan’s findings don’t match the player’s own perception or our initial expectations about how long he would be out. There was absolutely no perceived risk from our side at the time of the decision to start him." The England manager expressed genuine sympathy for the midfielder, noting their close working relationship: "I feel sad for him. We talk all the time, and when he left the pitch, even the next day, he said he didn’t feel any injury, so I assumed he would be fine for tomorrow’s training." Media reports have highlighted Bournemouth’s frustration that one of their key players returned from international duty with a fresh injury.
The club’s medical and performance departments have been in constant contact with the national team’s staff, sharing information in what has been described as an “open process.” A Bournemouth representative said, "We understand the club is upset and disappointed to lose a vital squad member, but from the moment we gave the green light for him to play, there was no apparent risk to us or our physical staff. If there had been even a hint of danger, we would have kept him out. This is a one‑off incident, not a systemic problem." Adding a personal dimension to the story, Scott’s grandfather passed away while the midfielder was away with the national team.
Despite the loss, Scott chose to honor his late relative’s memory by staying on the pitch, a decision that resonated with many fans who know how close the two were. The grandfather had been described as Scott’s biggest supporter throughout his football journey. Scott’s debut start for England in Rijeka earned him plaudits from Tuchel, who praised his link‑up play with fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson – a partnership that previously helped England win the Under‑21 European Championship in 2025. However, the midfielder eventually requested to be substituted in the second half after feeling a sharp pain, a move that underscored the seriousness of the issue.
Transfer speculation has also swirled around the 24‑year‑old. Sky Sports reported that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all expressed interest in acquiring Scott during the summer window.
Bournemouth, however, have remained firm in their stance that he is not for sale, emphasizing that he still has two years left on his contract. The club also noted that Scott has turned down a new contract extension, fueling rumors about his future, but the current ownership insists there is no pressure to sell. Bournemouth’s next fixture after the international break sees them travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday, a match that will test the squad’s depth without Scott.
In related news, defender Ezri Konsa has also returned to his club, Arsenal, after being ruled out of England’s final game of the break against the Czech Republic. Konsa had been battling a minor muscle issue that limited his training sessions earlier in the week. He managed to play the full 90 minutes in the Croatia victory but was subsequently withdrawn from the remaining international programme to avoid further aggravation.
Tuchel explained, "Ezri arrived at camp with some discomfort, which worsened after the Spain game. He pushed through the pain for the Croatia match, but a subsequent quad strain caused light trauma. We decided not to risk further injury – it wasn’t a major issue, but we didn’t want to gamble on his health." Konsa will now undergo a thorough fitness assessment with Arsenal’s medical staff before rejoining club duties.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to return to Premier League action on Saturday, hosting Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 pm. The broader context of these injuries highlights the delicate balance national team managers must strike between fielding their strongest line‑ups and safeguarding player welfare, especially during congested international windows. Both Tuchel and the club medical teams have reiterated their commitment to transparent communication and player‑first decision‑making as the season progresses.