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 Friday — the last camp before the German coach will name his provisional squad for the tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
He was subsequently included in the England Under-19 squad for their triple-header of U-19 European Championship qualifiers.
Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Everton on March 14, and is considered an enormous talent.
If the teenage playmaker, who does not turn 17 until New Year’s Eve, were 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 Friday, Tuchel said: “He put himself in the spotlight with his amazing goal against Everton, and a crucial goal. I think he is, obviously a fantastic talent, an outstanding talent, at his age, there cannot be a doubt about it.
“Everyone who tells me about Max praises him, and is full of compliments about him. The reality at the moment is also that he competes for minutes, he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal. I think he is in a fantastic environment, he is in the best environment possible, in a competitive club, in a stable club, in a club where teamwork is the number one rule.
“This is how they play and this is how they function, so he learns from the very best, in the very best environment. And with these young guys, of course we know all these players, and we see them as you do as well. At the moment I think he’s in a good place to fight for position, to fight for minutes at Arsenal. And we always have the chance to call him maybe up for the World Cup.
“The thing with young players is to keep the momentum going, and keep their excitement, they have a level of fearlessness with them. So no need to call him up now and increase the pressure, and increase the noise that comes with it. We have options.”
