Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup proved that trusting in the exuberance of youth is a key priority rather than an afterthought.
The Gunners made history by starting two 16-year-olds – Marli Salmon and Max Dowman – and the latter was particularly impressive.
Dazzling in and out of defenders and leaving them looking lost for words is becoming commonplace for Chelmsford-born teenager – and there’s no doubt that he’s among the most exciting talents in world football.
Many have compared Arsenal’s hotshot to none other than Lionel Messi – but Gary Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, took it back a step and remained a bit more modest.
Gary Lineker compares Dowman to Barcelona star
It may not be Messi – but you could argue it’s the next best thing: Lamine Yamal, who is widely regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet.
He earned his first Spain call-up at the age of 16 and it looked as if his age was merely an afterthought for Luis de la Fuente.
“He is different, and we haven’t looked at his age; we look at his ability, and he is ready to play,” De La Fuente said at the time, per Arsenal Insider.
Just a couple of years on from when Yamal burst onto the scene and he’s wreaking havoc up and down Spain on a weekly basis.
“16, do you think he can sneak into the England squad?” Lineker asked The Rest Is Football panel about Dowman.
Alan Shearer replied, “Theo did it at 17, didn’t he?” before Lineker replied: “Right, if he is that good, in Spain, they’d go, in you come son… like Lamine Yamal, they played him.”
But Lineker then revealed why England won’t be offering him a spot in the senior set-up any time soon.
Why Lineker believes Dowman won’t receive England call-up… yet
Of course, for the time being, Dowman will be keen to assert himself as a regular in senior proceedings at club level.
But many will be clamouring for the young hotshot to be in with a chance of getting a cal up from Thomas Tuchel, who will be leading England’s World Cup charge this summer.
As mentioned, striker-turned-pundit Lineker believes the German will not go down the de la Fuente route and will instead be a little more thoughtful with his development and progression.
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“But we won’t do that because everyone’s so cautious,” Lineker said on whether Dowman will be a pick for Tuchel and his entourage over the summer months.
Agreeing with his podcast co-host Micah Richards chimed in on the debate and added: “He’s a special player, but in terms of England, he’s not going to play enough for Arsenal, is he?”
Dowman’s future for Arsenal and England
One thing is for certain: Dowman’s future is bright. Even with his slim frame, the tricky sensation is evidently comfortable when hustling and bustling against seasoned professionals.
Need a subtle reminder of the brilliance on Arsenal’s books? Just watch his a snippet of his Mansfield display below.
Can Dowman, 15, follow in the footsteps of the tricky Spaniard? There’s every chance he could become England’s answer to Yamal, of course, but the comparison is still wild to comprehend.
