Max Dowman is the Premier League’s youngest-ever goal-scorer Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel has left the door open for Arsenal’s Max Dowman to be named in England’s World Cup squad this summer.
Dowman, 16, was omitted from Tuchel’s 35-man group for this month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Thursday – the last camp before the German coach will name his provisional squad for the tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Dowman became the youngest goal-scorer in Premier League history in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on March 14, and is considered an enormous talent. He could still be named in England’s Under-21 or U-19 squad this month.
If the teenage playmaker, who does not turn 17 until New Year’s Eve, was to be included in Tuchel’s World Cup squad – and feature – he would become England’s youngest-ever male player, surpassing Theo Walcott who made his debut aged 17 and 175 days.
Asked about Dowman at a press conference on Thursday, Tuchel said: “Well, he put himself in the spotlight with the crucial goal against Everton. At the moment he is competing, a fantastic and outstanding talent. With this age, there cannot be a doubt about it.
“Everyone I speak to about him praises him and is full of compliments about him. The reality is, he competes for minutes but he is in a fantastic environment and the best environment for him at a competitive and stable club where teamwork is the No 1 rule.
“He learns from the very best. With these young guys, of course we know all of them and see them.
“At the moment, he’s in a good place to fight for his position and minutes at Arsenal and we always have the chance to maybe call him up for the World Cup.
“The thing with young players is to keep the excitement and momentum. They have fearlessness. There is no need to call him up now and increase pressure and expectation which comes with that.”
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