Max Dowman is a better player than Jude Bellingham was at his age, according to ex-Premier League manager Alan Pardew.
The 16-year-old Arsenal star scored a stunning solo goal for England’s U19s in the March international break, catching the eye again.
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He also provided two assists during the 6-0 win over Portugal before returning to start in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the Gunners.
Despite losing to Southampton in a huge upset, Dowman played a standout role for Mikel Arteta’s side on the South Coast.
His seven shots in the game proved the major threat that he posed, while Arteta felt confident to keep him on for the full game.
And it was after his performances for England and Arsenal that former Crystal Palace and Newcastle boss Pardew made a comparison between him and Bellingham.
Pardew said on talkSPORT: “I’ve got him above Jude Bellingham, in terms of, he’s the best I’ve seen, at this age we’re talking about.
“You’ve got to think, well, I see Ronaldo in Le Tournoir (1997 Tournoi de France). He stood out a mile at his age group.
“Dowman stands out a mile at his age group… and if he can progress and grow, because that disappointment he had in the quarter-final is what being a footballer is all about.
“It’s not about being glory all the time. A lot of it is painful. And he needs to keep growing in that pain, if that makes sense.
“That’s why I liked his reaction. This kid could be another Gazza [Paul Gascoigne] for us in a different way.
“He’s not like Gazza, a different type of player, but the same level of player. I really hope he can come through.”
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Dowman better than Bellingham?
At 16 years old, Dowman has played three Premier League games, scoring one goal and assisting another.
His goal made him the youngest ever scorer in the top-flight, netting in the final seconds to secure a huge win over Everton in March.
The teenager also has a Champions League appearance, alongside two FA Cup and two Carabao Cup matches to his name.
Meanwhile, Bellingham became Birmingham City’s youngest ever first-team player and youngest ever goalscorer at 16.
He made 41 appearances in the Championship at that age, scoring four goals and providing two assists in the second tier.
His impressive performances in midfield for Birmingham at such a young age caught the eye of Wayne Rooney, who knew he was ‘special’, before Borussia Dortmund spent £25m on him at 17.
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What next for Dowman?
And a move away from his first club could be the path that Dowman goes on to take, just like Bellingham did…
At least if he takes the advice of talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham.
Speaking on Fiery Fridays on the talkSPORT Daily podcast, he said: “Max Dowman needs to leave Arsenal as soon as possible.
“Dowman has seen Myles Lewis-Skelly’s career derailed by Mikel Arteta. He’s not even third choice left-back now – [Piero] Hincapie and [Riccardo] Calafiori ahead of him in a Wembley final.”
Then, after mentioning the journeys of Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, Durham added: “Max Dowman, don’t follow their path.
“Forget who your family supports, that’s irrelevant now. Think about your career, go find a stage your talents deserve.
“Barcelona, Real Madrid, wherever it is. Go find a coach who will get the very best out of you and bring you success in your career.
“You deserve better than Arsenal.”