Overview
- England U21 head coach Lee Carsley has included Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, 16, in his squad for friendlies against Portugal and France.
- If Dowman plays in either match he would become England’s youngest-ever U21, a record currently held by Jude Bellingham.
- Dowman is serving a three-match domestic ban after a red card in the Carabao Cup and Arsenal had an FA appeal against the dismissal rejected.
- The call-up follows Dowman’s fast rise at club level, which includes becoming the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer and scoring twice in a September Carabao Cup tie.
- Dowman joins fellow Arsenal academy graduates in the squad as Carsley uses the friendlies at Ashton Gate to prepare an already-qualified England side for the 2027 U21 European Championship and to manage young players’ development.