Alex Scott has been forced to withdraw from the England squad after sustaining a tendon problem during the 7-0 victory over Croatia. The injury was not apparent before the match, and Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, stressed that there was no indication of any issue when the midfielder took the field on Saturday.
According to Sky Sports News, Scott will travel back to his club, Bournemouth, for a thorough medical evaluation to determine the full extent of the damage. Early reports suggest the recovery could take several weeks, although additional scans are scheduled to confirm the prognosis.
In a pre‑Czech Republic press conference, Tuchel provided further insight into the circumstances surrounding the injury. He explained that, from a medical standpoint, there was nothing that suggested Scott should have been rested for the Croatia game. "With Alex it's a strange one.
I'm very sad about it," Tuchel said. "He trained in both sessions before the match and even did extra work after the training sessions." Tuchel continued, "We knew he was in treatment, but we only got the green light from him and the medical team.
When we noticed a slight discomfort during the match, we asked if he wanted to come off. He said no.
After the game he told us it was the right decision, even though he could have played the full 90 minutes. He didn't feel any injury, even on the flight back to London before the scan. It's a strange case because the scan's objective data and the predicted downtime don't line up. There was no awareness of any risk on our side." The England boss expressed genuine regret, adding, "I feel sad for him.
We talk all the time, and even the day after the match he didn't feel injured, so in my mind he would be fine for tomorrow." This sentiment underscores the unpredictable nature of soft‑tissue injuries, which can sometimes manifest only after a player has pushed through pain. Media outlets have reported that Bournemouth are displeased that one of their key players returned from international duty with an injury, arguing that he perhaps should not have been fielded in Rijeka. When asked about the club's reaction, Tuchel said, "The medical and physical department is in constant contact with all the players who are with us. We are sharing information and this is a totally open process." He added, "I can totally understand that Bournemouth are not happy and sad because they lose a key player, but from the moment we decided to let him play there was absolutely no apparent risk to me or our physical staff.
I have not taken any risks. Even if it was a big opportunity for him and we wanted him to start, if I had the slightest idea there was a risk, I would not have taken it. I would never do this... It's a one‑off." Beyond the footballing implications, Scott faced a personal tragedy during the international break: his grandfather passed away while he was with the England squad.
Despite the loss, Scott chose to stay and play in honor of his late grandfather, who had been one of his biggest supporters throughout his career. This decision added an emotional layer to his performance and the subsequent injury.
Scott's debut start for England in Rijeka earned him praise from Tuchel, who highlighted his chemistry with fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson – the duo having won the Under‑21 European Championship together in 2025. However, midway through the second half, Scott requested to be substituted after feeling pain, a decision that was respected by the coaching staff.
Transfer speculation has also surrounded Scott this summer. Sky Sports reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, but Bournemouth have remained firm that the player is not for sale, emphasizing that he has two years left on his contract. In fact, Scott reportedly turned down a new contract extension at Bournemouth, despite the club's insistence on retaining him amid strong Premier League interest.
Bournemouth's next fixture is against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, scheduled for the Saturday following the international break. The club will have to cope without Scott, who is expected to miss that match and possibly several more. In related news, defender Ezri Konsa has also returned to his club, Arsenal, after being ruled out of England's final international game against the Czech Republic. Konsa suffered a minor muscle issue during the break, which kept him out of training last week.
He managed to play the full 90 minutes in the 7‑0 win over Croatia, but the England camp decided not to risk further injury. Tuchel explained, "Ezri came into camp with discomfort. Played against Spain which made it worse. He stayed in camp and tried everything for the match in Croatia and gave the green light.
Unfortunately, he got another hit on the quad and it caused some light trauma. We decided not to let him play again through the pain. Nothing major but not worth taking the risk." Konsa will now head back to Arsenal for a detailed fitness assessment. Arsenal are set to return to Premier League action on Saturday, hosting Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium at 12:30 pm.
Overall, the England squad faces a challenging period ahead, juggling injury concerns, personal bereavement, and the need to maintain performance levels as they prepare for upcoming fixtures. The situation also highlights the delicate balance national team managers must strike between giving players opportunities on the international stage and safeguarding their long‑term health for club duties. Fans can stay updated on the developments surrounding Scott, Konsa and other England players through official club statements and reputable sports news outlets. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how quickly both players can return to full training and match fitness, and whether their clubs will need to adjust tactics to compensate for their temporary absences.