Scholes did not stop at admiration. "We've not got a player like Dowman," he said. "I would take him all day long, I don't think there's an English player with the ability he's got. He floats past people."
That is a serious endorsement from a former England midfielder, and it speaks to the central argument around Dowman: not just that he is young and exciting, but that he may offer something rare. Rio Ferdinand has also urged Tuchel to consider taking him, with the former defender arguing that even a limited tournament role could fast-track the teenager’s development.
The excitement has not come from hype alone. Dowman has already broken through at Arsenal, and his rise appears to have been handled carefully by Mikel Arteta, who knows the player is still balancing elite football with school life.
That caution matters. It has kept the noise from becoming reckless, even as the talent has become impossible to ignore. Scholes even pointed to Dowman’s displays for England Under-20s as another reason to believe the jump may not be too soon.
Of course, this is not a sentimental decision. England are stacked with attacking options, and tournament squads are built on trust as much as flair. Tuchel must weigh proven senior names against the temptation to bring a fearless wildcard.
That is why the debate is so compelling. Taking Dowman could look bold; leaving him out could look sensible. But if Tuchel believes tournament football can turn promise into presence, this may be the moment to act.
For now, the countdown is on. 22 May will bring the answer, and whether Dowman makes the plane or not, his rise already looks like one of the stories to watch heading into England’s World Cup campaign.