Max Dowman’s talent is impossible to ignore, despite the Arsenal academy product being only 15 years old.
Mikel Arteta is astonished by Dowman’s ability to play at senior level, with the Arsenal manager showing faith in the youngster by handing him 143 minutes so far this season.
The Englishman is on course to break so many records due to his early breakthrough, but Arsenal’s priority will be to protect the 2009-born talent for as long as possible.
Given the level that the teenager has shown, there has already been talk about whether Dowman could make the 2026 World Cup, with the topic approached by Gary Lineker.
Gary Lineker says Max Dowman would be his sleeper pick for England’s World Cup squad
Selecting the 2026 World Cup squad is going to be incredibly tough for Thomas Tuchel, even more so if what Lineker has been hearing comes to fruition.
Speaking about the World Cup on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Lineker and Micah Richards were asked who their ‘sleeper pick’ for the England squad would be.
The pundit then shared what he’s heard about the plan to potentially enlarge squads.
“It depends here, because they’re talking about enlarging the squads, which I actually think is quite ridiculous because I mean, can you imagine a coach and you suddenly say, right, I’ve got a squad of 30 now and you’ve got to keep almost two out of three of your players happy that aren’t playing.
“So, if in those circumstances, I think you might just bring in one or two youngsters just to experience it.”
Dowman was the first player on Lineker’s mind, but the Premier League icon didn’t hesitate to remind listeners of just how young the Arsenal academy star is.
“I’m going to go Max Dowman. Who is a child,” Lineker said.
Richards didn’t think his co-host’s comment was wide of the mark, responding, “I like your thinking.”
Coming back down to earth, Lineker made it clear that he doesn’t think Dowman will earn a senior call-up, with the discussion entirely theoretical.
“I don’t think he’ll be in the squad, but I only say this if they do this thing that is being rumoured, which, surely, they won’t, is enlarging the squads to around 30.”
England’s intention with Dowman is already clear
Though it seems wild to think that Dowman could make the England senior squad soon, it’s actually not that obscure when reviewing where the 15-year-old has been playing this season.
Not only is the playmaker training with Arsenal’s first team, but he’s also a valued member of England’s U19 squad, and his place at that level could change very soon.
There are plans for Dowman to be promoted to England’s U21 team, as Lee Carsley revealed earlier in the international break.
“He’s a player that we’re monitoring. Sometimes, that talent, we have to accelerate it so quickly because of the challenge they are getting at their clubs,” Carsley said.
Just as talk about Dowman’s potential becomes overwhelming and seems farcical, one glance at the teenager in action is all that is required to realise that such wild claims are valid.
The future is so, so bright for Dowman, with the pathway there for him to succeed at the pace deemed to be acceptable.
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