By Martin Graham
In an age where everyone online seems to claim expertise, a young football enthusiast has turned his digital passion into a career breakthrough.
Like 1907a Serie A club managed by Cesc Fàbregas have named 20-year-old Felix Johnston as a first-team scout. His journey didn’t start at a club or academy but on social media, where he made a name for himself as a Chelsea-focused analyst on X (formerly Twitter).
Through detailed observations and data-driven feedback Chelsea’s academy prospects, Johnston became a well-known figure among fans and even within parts of the football community.
generating a following from passion and persistence
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Johnston described how a block message from a friend first drew him to the platform.
“He said, ‘You’ve got to go on Twitter, that’s where football is talked about,'” Johnston recalled. Taking the advice to heart, he began posting regularly, eventually focusing on Chelsea’s youth set-up.
Watching the academy matches and following the development of the players soon became his trademark. “It became my thing – to see young players come out – that’s why people followed me,” he said.
As Chelsea’s recruitment strategy shifted towards signing young talent, Johnston found even more material to analyse. He spent his nights studying players like Kendry Páez and Estevão at youth tournaments while independently identifying new prospects. Recognition from people in the world of football helped him realize that scouting could become more than a hobby.
First professional steps and call from Como
Johnston’s first experience of professional football came in April when he joined Danish side Vejle as a scouting consultant. Only a few months later, in July, an opportunity arose from Italy.
“Como’s director of recruiting reached out on Twitter,” Johnston said. “He liked what he was doing and wanted to bring in some younger, more modern scouts. I accepted an internship and nine weeks later, I was hired.”
Now balancing university studies in Milan with his new role, Johnston works within a data-driven recruitment structure.
The club’s head of scouting, formerly head of data at AZ Alkmaar, assigns him marked players through analytics. Johnston then evaluates them using match footage and compiles detailed reports.
Inside the life of a modern explorer
Johnston typically looks at about five full games before finalizing an initial report, though the number can vary based on a player’s participation.
“If someone plays in a team that rarely has the ball, maybe they should look more to get enough tests,” he explained. His work is not limited to a single country or position, making his responsibilities broad and varied.
He describes Como as an “advanced club” keen to embrace modern listening methods. Their current position – seventh in Serie A in just their second season in the top division – suggests that innovation is paying off.
A new eye for emerging talent
Now, instead of posting analysis for supporters online, Johnston’s insights are going straight to Fabregas and Como’s recruitment team.
Asked about a player who has caught his eye, Johnston singled out 16-year-old Deinner Ordonez, a center back for Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, the same academy that produced Moises Caicedo.
“They’ve developed a lot of talented players, and he’s another one,” Johnston said.
From social media threads to scouting reports at a Serie A club, Johnston’s journey reflects how the digital experience can translate into real football success.
