Thomas Tuchel and Max Dowman (Photo: Andrew Reddington, Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
England manager Thomas Tuchel has hinted that he has Arsenal prodigy Max Dorman in mind as an option ahead of this summer’s North American World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference today to announce his latest England squad, Tuchel made it clear Dowman could join the Three Lions later this summer.
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The German tactician also highly praised the way Arsenal have handled the 16-year-old’s development so far, explaining that it is clear he is in a good environment where he can keep his feet on the ground and continue learning from the best players.
Manager Thomas Tuchel talks about Max Daumann
Tuchel made clear there was no reason to rush Dauman’s selection, given the number of players who were not included in the latest England squad.
Still, the England manager did not rule it out as an option when naming his final World Cup squad for the tournament later this year.
“Well, he put himself in the spotlight, didn’t he? With that great goal against Everton, that decisive goal.”
“I think he’s perfect at the moment and he’s clearly a great talent and a great talent for his age, there’s no doubt about that.
“Everyone who talks to me about Max praises him and is full of compliments. The reality at the moment is that he is also competing for playing time. He is not a regular starter at Arsenal.”
“I think he’s in a great environment, I think he’s in the best possible environment. At a competitive club, a stable club, a club where teamwork is the first rule, this is how they play, this is how they function.”
“So he learns from the best players in the best environment. And with these young players, of course we know all of these players and we watch them the same way you do.”
“At the moment I think he is in a good position to compete for places and for minutes at Arsenal.
“We probably always have a chance to call him up for the World Cup.
“The important thing with young players is to keep the momentum going and keep the excitement going. And they have a level of fearlessness. So we don’t need to bring him in now and increase the pressure and all the noise that comes with it. But yeah, we have all the options.”
Max Dauman makes a name for himself
Dauman scored a memorable late goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton, in which the teenager came off the bench and almost single-handedly changed the game.
It’s rare to see a player this young play with such quality and intelligence, but Dauman looked very suited to Premier League level as well.
The Englishman started off with a dangerous cross that set up Arsenal’s Victor Goqueres for the opening goal, before running almost the length of the pitch to score the second goal.
Even when faced with an open goal, Dauman displayed incredible skill to sit in his position and punish Everton on the counter-attack.
Dauman has featured in a total of seven first-team games for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and it’s easy to imagine he’ll get even more playing time between now and May.
That could put him firmly in contention for a spot in the World Cup, and what a story that would be.
