Como 1907 have hired 20-year-old Felix Johnston as a first-team scout, turning a social-media hobby into a professional role at the Serie A club managed by former Chelsea, Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. Until recently Johnston produced Chelsea-focused content on X, analysing academy prospects and building a niche audience.
“It’s been a long journey,” Johnston told BBC Radio 5 Live, recalling how a friend urged him to join Twitter during lockdown because “that’s where everyone is talking about football.” He began studying academy games closely, staying up late to watch players such as Kendry Paez at the Under-17 World Cup and Estevao, and gradually started doing his own scouting and video analysis. Early recognition, including interest from people inside the game, helped turn a passion into a realistic career path.
Things moved quickly this year. In April he worked for Danish club Vejle as a scouting consultant, and at the end of July Como contacted him after their director of recruitment messaged him on X, saying he liked Johnston’s posts and wanted to bring in modern, younger scouts. Johnston completed an internship and, nine weeks later, was offered the job.
Johnston combines the role with university studies in Milan. His hiring came under a director who previously led data at AZ Alkmaar and prioritises a data-led approach. Johnston’s task is to review players flagged by the data team, assess them on the eye and produce scouting reports. He says the role is broad, not restricted by region or position.
Typically Johnston watches five full matches to compile an initial report, although he will view more footage when a player’s team has low possession and chances to shine are limited. His remit mixes traditional scouting instincts with data-informed targets: the data points highlight names, and he verifies style, decision-making and suitability through repeated viewing.
Como describe themselves as a “very forward-thinking club” keen to bring in new ideas and talent, and the approach appears to be paying off — Como sit seventh in just their second season back in Serie A. Johnston’s own recommendation to follow is 16-year-old Deinner Ordóñez, a centre-back at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, whose academy also produced Moisés Caicedo.
Where Johnston once shared opinions with the social-media masses, his analyses will now be sent directly to Fàbregas and the Como recruitment team as part of the club’s scouting workflow.
