Wilshere urges England to take Arsenal teen Dowman to World Cup

Wilshere urges England to take Arsenal teen Dowman to World Cup

Luton boss Jack Wilshere insists England must take Arsenal teen Max Dowman to the World Cup.

Dowman wasn't included in England's 35-man squad selected last week, though coach Thomas Tuchel insisted the door wasn't shut on him.

Wilshere worked with Dowman as Arsenal U18 coach and remains close to the 16 year-old.

Wilshere told The Telegraph: “The only thing I would say is, Spain would take him.

“That’s what I think. We have this way at times in England of building them up but then protecting them. You get caught in that (place): ‘If he goes what will people say?’

"He (Dowman) is definitely good enough. Even if he goes and he doesn’t play that much. Which I think he can. I think he is good enough.

“He is going to be there eventually. I understand people saying, ‘Maybe not’. But I also think (Lamine) Yamal went as a 16-year-old (to Euro 2024) and he was the best player in the tournament.”