England Youth Boss Considers Accelerating Teenage Talents
Lee Carsley, the manager of England's Under-21 side, has publicly revealed that he is considering a remarkable call-up for 15-year-old Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman. Despite his youth, Dowman is already making waves with the England Under-19 squad during the current international break. His rapid ascent, which includes breaking into Mikel Arteta's first team at Arsenal, has forced national team coaches to take notice.
Carsley acknowledged that while the timing must be carefully managed, a player of Dowman's calibre could be fast-tracked through the age groups to match the high-level challenges he is now facing at club level. 'He's a player that we're monitoring,' Carsley stated, emphasising the need to balance acceleration with the player's extreme youth.
Manchester United's Shea Lacey Also in the Frame
The potential for promotion is not limited to Dowman. Carsley is also casting a keen eye on Manchester United's 18-year-old academy star, Shea Lacey. The young talent made such an impression that he was invited to train with the Under-21s on two separate occasions this week.
Lacey, who is reportedly turning heads in first-team training at United under the watch of figures like Ruben Amorim, only made his debut for the England Under-20s in the last international window. His swift progression is a testament to his ability, though Carsley stressed the importance of patience, noting Lacey's past injury struggles. 'You can see he's a good talent,' the manager said, 'but I think it's so important we don't rush these young players.'
Future Plans for Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly
Beyond the two teenage prodigies, Carsley has also opened the door for another Arsenal youngster, 19-year-old full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly. Lewis-Skelly has become a more familiar face in the senior setup since Thomas Tuchel's arrival but was omitted from this camp due to a lack of recent minutes.
Carsley confirmed this is a situation the setup will continue to assess, with a view to potentially involving him with the Under-21s in the future if he remains with the seniors. 'We'd love to have Myles with us,' Carsley admitted, indicating that a plan will be formulated in communication with Tuchel ahead of the next international window in March.
The overarching message from the England U21 boss is one of excited vigilance, as the national team seeks to nurture its most promising young footballers without hindering their long-term development.
