Como 1907 have taken an unconventional route to strengthen their recruitment, appointing 20-year-old Felix Johnston — who gained a following creating Chelsea academy content on X — as a first-team scout.
Johnston made his name analysing and profiling Chelsea’s youth prospects online. His interest began during lockdown after a friend convinced him to join Twitter (now X), and he carved out a niche watching academy matches and highlighting emerging talents. That work attracted attention inside the game and helped turn a hobby into a professional opportunity.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Johnston described the move as the end of a long journey. In recent months his progress quickened: he worked as a scouting consultant for Danish side Vejle in April, and in late July he was approached by Como. The club’s director of recruitment messaged him on social media, saying he liked Johnston’s posts and wanted to bring in younger, more modern scouts. After an internship, Johnston was offered the role nine weeks later.
He combines the job with university studies in Milan. At Como he works directly with the recruitment director — who previously headed data at AZ Alkmaar — receiving data-driven player lists to watch and evaluate. Johnston prepares reports on players requested by the club, with no fixed region or position limits.
For an initial assessment he typically watches five full matches, though he will view more if a player’s team has low possession or the individual is less involved, ensuring enough evidence to form a judgement.
Como’s forward-thinking approach appears to be paying off: the club sit seventh in their second season back in Serie A. Johnston’s top recommendation so far is 16-year-old centre-back Deinner Ordóñez of Independiente del Valle, the Ecuadorian academy that produced Moisés Caicedo.
Moving forward, Johnston’s analysis and recommendations will be channelled to Cesc Fàbregas and the Como coaching staff rather than posted for his social media followers.
