No sooner had I written an article pleading with my peers to help protect Max Dowman, I was hearing Gooners say he should start at Anfield, how he should be capped by England next month and, most baffling of all, the midfielder’s name mentioned in the same breath as Wayne Rooney and Pelé.
Yes, that Pelé, the youngest ever player to win and score in a World Cup Final, the first of three World Cups the Brazilian lifted.
Yes, that Wayne Rooney, the Englishman who won every possible domestic medal.
Either some readers did not understand the point I was trying to make, or maybe they simply disagree. There is enough pressure that the 15-year-old has to deal with. For most his age, it would be: has your mum got your school uniform ready for year 11? Have you got a pen for class? What bag are you planning to pack your books in and who will you sit next to in French?
Dowman’s parents will be facing a daily struggle to keep their son focused and with his feet on the ground, without the need for comparisons with the greatest to ever live. Arsenal will employ staff specifically to make sure the teenager is dealing with all the praise and not letting it get to his head and change his attitude.
Ask Mikel Arteta, he will not appreciate it. It undermines the comfort blanket he is trying to wrap around someone who has yet to even take his GCSEs. Our manager is trying to block out the noise while others are opening the window and shouting through it. I wish they knew how damaging this can be for a youngster.
Can we at least wait until he starts a competitive senior game before we go hysterical?
It is not just supporters but ex-footballers who really should know better. You would think if there was one ex-Gunner who would have empathy about putting so much expectation on someone so young it would be Theo Walcott.
The 36-year-old went to a World Cup at the age of 17, having not played a second of first team football in the top flight. In Germany he immediately realised he was out of his depth and it took him a while to mentally recover. Yet the now pundit says he sees Messi in how Dowman moves the ball.
Yes, that Messi.
To clarify, he has played just over half an hour of senior football when we were 3-0 up against a promoted side.
I hope this helps. Here are 10 examples of English players who were told how great they were and at times proved it until it all went bang. Some lost hunger once they became rich, some believed they were better than reality, some found the stage too big and the lights too bright.
Out of fairness, I have not included any names still performing in the Premiership. You might see a pattern emerging on this list, that a few have something familiar in common.
(This was the Prem era as I wanted to include only English players I watched, but feel free to include others in comments.)
Paul Gascoigne
The likes of Wayne Rooney and Jack Grealish would often be criticised for not always being the modern professional off the pitch in terms of how they looked after their bodies.
It is not that the press were not obsessed with Paul Gascoigne, but to the public eye the midfielder was almost celebrated for liking the odd drink and kebab, almost like it made the Geordie relatable. Was it because a nation had fallen in love with him at Italia 90? Or was the world just not educated enough about mental health and alcoholism?
Even when it was clear his drinking was getting out of control, a lot of his peers and even managers laughed with him for being such a character. In reality he had an illness which he is still battling. In 2025, the 58-year-old is less famous for his rise, more known for his fall.
Stan Collymore
Once the most expensive English player, Stan Collymore became most known in 1999 for being one of the first high-profile footballers to talk openly about anxiety and stress. In many ways it was a stigma he could not shake off which created a vicious circle.
Diagnosed with clinical depression and borderline personality disorder, the striker could never consistently be the same player he was before. With mental health not as talked about as it is in 2025, few seemed to have sympathy for the player when his career fizzled out, not helped by accusations of domestic abuse which were highly publicised.
He continues to spread awareness about mental health on social media and feels that has cost him jobs as a pundit. While the 54-year-old does not want his illnesses to be an excuse for his behaviour, you sense he is bitter for not getting the support and understanding he probably would get today.
Jermaine Pennant
Playing while hungover, a sick Monopoly game when clubbing, constantly travelling from London back to Nottingham to see his friends and gang, drink driving and the only player in the history of the Premiership to play wearing an electronic tag. I advise you to read his book if you have not already.
Most would say the 42-year-old did not reach his potential, but he has a different way to look at his career. He believes that once you understand how he grew up, to play in the Premiership and eventually a Champions League Final should be viewed as a success.
David Bentley
David Bentley did not do anything wrong by retiring at the age of 29. He should not be judged for falling out of love with the sport and wanting to walk away from football.
Moving to Spain to open a restaurant and work in real estate with his girlfriend made him happy and content again. That is the most important thing in life.
Yet you might have guessed the midfielder did not lose his smile when playing every week and being compared as the next David Beckham. The disillusionment occurred when a knee injury became so bad he ended up having to move all the way to Russia to find a club.
Ask most fans to name an iconic David Bentley image and they might say celebrating qualifying for the Champions League at Spurs by dunking an ice bucket over Harry Redknapp during a live interview. His manager was clearly not impressed because it confirmed the image the player had, just there to have a good time but never acting like a professional.
In reality, the 40-year-old behind closed doors hid depression by gambling. At its worst, 100 bets were placed daily and tens of thousands of pounds lost.
Michael Johnson
Once billed as the future at the Etihad, Michael Johnson played during Man City’s transition from being a mid-table side in the Prem to almost overnight being able to compete with any club in the world in terms of fees and wages.
An abdominal injury in 2008 led to the teenager only managing four first team appearances in the next five years. Once that would have been a huge story, but who is going to miss you when suddenly Agüero, Tévez, David Silva and Yaya Touré are walking in through the door? That in itself can make you depressed, people forgetting about you.
The occasional times you saw a photo of the midfielder he looked almost unrecognisable, clearly not fit and lots of weight gained. Those in Manchester were not surprised as he was often seen out at nightclubs drinking heavily.
All of these are signs of depression but maybe at the time we were not as open as we are in 2025 to talk about mental health. I like to think today that all Premiership clubs would have the resources to support one of their players if they got themselves as low as Johnson did.
Originally believing the physical issues were the problem because that is what stopped him playing, eventually he would learn it was his mind that needed fixing. Through therapy, he learnt that he did not enjoy the fame, being spotted in shops, the pressure of trying and failing to get fit but most of all, he just did not like himself.
He retired at 24 but in many ways that may have saved his life.
Joey Barton
Always thought he was better than he was, but whether as a player, manager, pundit or tweeting, the 42-year-old has become more famous for events off the pitch than on it.
Controversies include attacking his own teammate and a youth player at Man City. His time at Newcastle was interrupted by spending 74 days in jail for common assault. His attempts at management were overshadowed by accusations he had assaulted and beaten his wife, something he was eventually found guilty of.
On social media he has been very critical of women pundits and commentators, although it seems a transparent attempt to remain relevant.
Born in one of the toughest parts of Liverpool, Barton credits his grandmother as being the one to keep him away from drugs and gangs which were a daily part of his life, claiming you had to fight to survive in that part of the world.
Barton is often honest regarding his actions but always seems to have a reason to justify his thought process. Admitting what you did and regretting your actions are two different things.
He can speak quite eloquently and is good with words, yet that might be his biggest flaw. Only when someone takes accountability can you start to find a solution.
Ravel Morrison
Sir Alex Ferguson once described the midfielder as the greatest talent he had ever seen. When you think of the players that manager had worked with, that is some statement.
So the fact the 32-year-old is playing in Dubai at his 14th club tells you something has gone wrong.
The man himself has been on various podcasts admitting to being addicted to playing FIFA all night, having timekeeping issues and not settling in one place for long due to the need to be near his brothers while they grew up. So you sense while he liked the lifestyle that came with being good at football, it was not everything to him.
The more serious allegations and flirtation with the law he downplays in interviews or asks the host not to mention. A failure to take accountability and ownership might explain why he is currently working in his eighth different country.
Dele Alli
The 29-year-old deserves immense respect due to the bravery he showed in 2023 on The Overlap, detailing to Gary Neville the sexual abuse he experienced as a child.
While the midfielder did not directly say it, as a youngster he had not been taught the life skills to know how to deal with all the fame and money he was experiencing. Daniel Levy once, on the All Or Nothing series, revealed to José Mourinho a conversation he had with Sir Alex Ferguson about how someone on the pitch can be so talented but so lazy off it.
A free transfer to Everton and loan to Beşiktaş raised suspicion when the player seemed to disappear for long periods. He told Neville he had been in rehab for depression and a sleeping pill addiction.
Sent off on his debut for Como last season, Alli has played approximately nine minutes of football in two years. During that podcast, he claimed that the 2026 World Cup was his long-term aim. That is not going to happen.
Mason Greenwood
For some this is complicated. All charges against the striker for rape, assault and breaking his bail conditions by contacting the accuser were eventually dropped when the CPS said, “New material has come to light.”
For others that does not mean they can pretend they have not seen the images and videos that were leaked online which are undeniable.
As one of the biggest institutions in the UK, it would have been impossible for Man United to carry on employing the youngster unless he could publicly offer an explanation. He either felt unable or unwilling to do so.
At 23 there is still a chance he tiptoes back into the Premiership but never for a big name, while the FA would never approve of him getting another cap.
He did not get a lot of press in England for being the top scorer in France, but with Marseille now in the Champions League can you keep his name out of the limelight much longer?
Jesse Lingard
For many, the first red flag that the midfielder’s priorities might be wrong was when, as a free agent, he picked a one-year contract at newly promoted Nottingham Forest instead of a return to West Ham who were in Europe.
On loan at the London Stadium he contributed 14 goals in 16 games to even lead calls for a call-up to the last World Cup. Few would have believed you if you said it would be his final great season in European football.
After zero goals and zero assists at the City Ground he walked away with a huge bonus because they avoided relegation, the only reason he joined it seemed. His performances, being unemployed for seven months, then choosing South Korea as his next destination had many assuming his motivation was money.
In reality, he took a break away from the sport due to the death of his nan and his grandad’s illness. The two had essentially brought the 32-year-old up, so caring for them impacted his mental health. He claims to have found peace in Asia which is surely all that matters.
A wider point
I hope you get my point in this article. These were young men who did not always know how to deal with the riches and fame on offer. It is not to say they never have (and will not) experience success, but at times they were crippled by expectation without even knowing it.
A common theme is not always having the correct support network around you. That can be as an adult or, in the case of many on this list, growing up. As a child you only know what you see. You assume your reality is normal and goes on in other households. By the time you realise that is not the case, you have not been given the life skills to deal with adversity.
Many readers will have comforts that help them survive. Mine is a latte before work and writing. Others might say music, movies, chocolate, a cigarette, etc. Now imagine essentially having unlimited money. Think about the doors that opens to escape in.
There is nothing to suggest Max Dowman is on that path. It would be disrespectful to his family to assume they have offered anything but guidance and support. Yet because he is so talented, the 15-year-old will soon score in the League and then the hype increases. At this rate he will get called up by England as a teenager.
As part of his development he will also have moments when his form dips. He will then find the same people predicting he will fly to the moon will write him off just as quickly. Either way, everyone will want to be his best friend, girls will be interested, promises will be made by agents to let them represent him, sponsors will be offering lucrative deals, etc.
Arsenal will look after him the best they can but they cannot be around the child 24 hours a day or control his social media accounts.
So look after him Gooners, I beg you.
(This was the Prem era as I wanted to include only English players I watched, but feel free to include others in comments.)
Dan Smith
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I know you like to twist the narrative a bit to suit. As you have right at the start of this baffling article. I personally
(and I think you are referring to me) not compare Dowman to Pele or Rooney as far as ability or expectations. I compared their AGES that they were playing professional football at a high level. It was about how young they were when they took the world by storm and coped fine.
No mate
I never said anyone compared Dowman to Pele or Ronney in terms of ability .
I said he was used in the same breath as .
Pele won the World Cup at 17
A 15 year old playing the last half an hour when the game is over against a newly promoted clubs isn’t remotely the same
Twisting again Dan. The only point is both Pele and Rooney were schoolboys like Dowman when they hit the big time. So why can Dowman not do the same. That isn’t compairing them to their greatness or ability. It was suggesting, it never stopped them, why should it stop Dowman. You are now Twisting what was said to suit your narrative. Thats not right.
Because to do what they did you have to be the very best
From an English language point , of course he could but then you would say that about anyone ?
My point is to say why can he not do the same as Pele or Rooney ?
That means you must have seen something to think that ?
As he’s yet to start a senior competitive game how can you say he can
I bet you any money he won’t come close
And the article title, I have an issue with, which I presume the writer had no part in though. Paul Gasgoine being described as overhyped is totally ridiculous. I had the pleasure of seeing him in the flesh a few times and to this day, he is still one of the most talented players, I have had the pleasure to witness live. And I have seen a few. Troubled yes, overhyped never. Plus I do not think Stan Collymore was either. He was a hell of a player to witness in the flesh. Again troubled but never overhyped.
Yeah didn’t do title mate
I know you didn’t. The title actually ruins what you were making out.
For me there’s going to be enough pressure for Dowman as it is, without putting unwanted pressure on top of that to.
I read an article from Theo Walcott comparing him to Messi. Theo should know better than to make such statements, having been compared to the legend that is Thierry Henry when he joined Arsenal.
Just let Dowman be Dowman. And to develop at the right pace, there’s no need to rush his development. I’m sure he’ll get a fare few minutes as well as starting cup games throughout the season.
But don’t hurry the kid to much, remember that’s what he is. He’s still a kid. Patience people, patience.
Great article Dan.
Keeping the youngster’s feet on the ground is a heck of a task. Good luck to all concerned.
Also agree with Reggie on Paul Gascoigne being one of the best I have seen in English football in the premiership era.
Cheers mate
Maybe before
I think the majority of Prem era he was in Italy and Scotland and wasn’t great by the time he came back to England
Arsenal used to be known for the care they took of their players. I hope the same applies today
To be fair Sue AFC have a history of looking after their youth. But to be fair, there are no clubs, I can think of who don’t. Some may argue Chelsea use theirs more like cattle but its in most lubs interests to look after them. Especially now.
Clubs
Not to overhype him at all, but none of those mentioned come close to the talent Dowman is.
Based on his 0 start in senior competitive football?
Dowman could, repeat, could have a big career. He is certainly talented.
But he isn’t even the best new teen in the prem , that began the Liverpool kid, stolen from Chelsea.
Nwaneri looked a worldy but now he is making marginal impact because opposition have found him out and he is searching for a more varied style. The same will happen with Max. Who is most certainly not yet a starter ( some fans are just unbelievable)
Also Estevao. From little I have seen that kid is going places.
Like reggie said ” to call Gascoigne overhyped is ridiculous yes. And I’ll say the article is ridiculous too coz even a mute with blind eye can tell dowman is special
Who said he wasn’t special
@Tea
He’s only special, when he does something special. He hasn’t done anything special, yet. Till then, he’s just a young kid with promise. Just saying…
Good article and definitely agree with the overall message, but Gascoigne was a brilliant player who was , is ” education proof” as some of our like minded Rugby League and AFL players have been labelled in Australia. On the football field Gascoigne did live up to his potential but unfortunately he destroyed what should have been a longer career. I think you were struggling to fill your list when you included, Joey Barton. Was he ever a golden boy renowned for his silky skills? As to his personality, one can’t help bring a dick. I think our own Theo Walcott could have been on your list. I at least really expected him to be at least on par with Thiery Henry and wishfully beyond.
Give me a list of what he won and compare it to say a Rooney , Gerrard or Lampard
Joe. S
Joey Barton!. Certainly no golden boy. Nothing more than a thug in a football kit as far as I could see.
Later to become a thug in a tracksuit in his managerial days. And then a loud mouthed pundit, putting down women’s football at every opportunity amongst other things.
A thoroughly unlikeable individual, that seems to get oxygen from being disliked.
Think Dan intention is good, this is his way of protecting the kid.
But the club is expected to foster internal motivation by emphasizing skill development and personal growth over external rewards that fame brings.
In my opinion Eze flourished under Roy Hudson positive and supportive environment that celebrates effort and tram work..
So when will it be good time to give the youngster time to show case what he is. These situations happen not because of hype. For him to grow he need to be cheered, lobed and protected. So you mean people should boo him to put his head down. The papers to write rubbish to keep him out of spotlight. If he deserves our love, support let it be so. Football life is too short. This is all about people who would say we have talked about it way before. Ok what if he goes on to achieve greater heights are going to say our prophecy was not fulfilled. why did you give the example of Messi Cristiano Pele as a way to show you supposed. Let’s go Dowman