Dan Burn’s career path has been an unconventional one. Released by Newcastle at the age of 11, the defender joined Blyth Spartans while working part-time in a supermarket. From there he played non-league football for Darlington before a £350,000 transfer to Fulham. Loan spells at Yeovil Town and Birmingham City followed.
A meandering period saw Burn also play for Wigan and Brighton where he earned a reputation as a dependable, if somewhat unremarkable, performer. When Newcastle re-signed Burn in January 2022, most viewed him as a stop-gap solution as the Magpies fought against the threat of relegation from the Premier League that season.
Since then, though, Burn has proved his worth as an important part of Eddie Howe’s team. New signings have arrived at St James’ Park as part of Newcastle’s squad reconstruction under Saudi Arabian ownership, but the defender has kept his place in the lineup. Only Bruno Guimarães has played more league minutes than Burn this season.
There’s no getting away from the fact that Burn is an unusual player. At 6ft 7”, he has the natural frame of a central defender (or a goalkeeper), and has played the majority of his matches there for Newcastle this season. However, Burn has also show his quality at left back. That’s where he could play for Thomas Tuchel’s England in the upcoming games against Albania and Latvia.
Should Burn make the pitch in either World Cup qualifier, he would become the oldest England debutant since former-Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies 15 years ago. It’s debatable whether when everyone is fit Burn should be part of the squad that goes to the 2026 World Cup, but there’s no doubt about his ability to perform in the short-term.
“I don’t care about people’s opinions – I know what I’m good at,” said Burn when asked about those who may question his place in Tuchel’s squad. “I feel like I have been doubted a lot over my career. Not many people at Darlington would have said I’d be sitting here doing a press conference for England, but as I said it has made me more resilient. I feel I deserve to be here.”
While Burn’s story is remarkable, the patronising tone with which some fans and pundits speak about him with is unwarranted. The 32-year-old will be more than comfortable against international opponents such as Albania and Latvia having held his own against Liverpool in a cup final just a few days ago. Burn is in the squad because he’s one of the best English defenders around.
Tuchel has also placed a focus on leadership since taking over as England boss. This is how he justified the inclusion of 34-year-old Jordan Henderson and it seems the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager sees Burn as another figure whose experience will help the team on and off the pitch.
“[Tuchel] wanted me to be in the squad to do what he felt my strengths are,” said Burn. “I thought I could offer just as much off the pitch as on. I feel I’m a leader off and on the pitch, and just sit into that role. It is going to be tough coming with all the international players, but that’s how I feel I can best help the team. He said I’ve been playing well for a long time, so obviously I’m not just coming in to be a cheerleader and help the boys out, I’m here to play.”
Burn’s call-up sets an important precedent for Tuchel at the start of his England tenure. It shows there is more than one pathway to international recognition. It proves to every eligible player that they will be given an opportunity should they work hard enough to climb the ladder like Burn has done over the course of his career.
Ultimately, Burn might be squeezed out of World Cup contention by the likes of Harry Maguire and John Stones who are currently sidelined through injury. In the present squad there is also stiff competition from Marc Guéhi, Levi Colwill, Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah for minutes in the centre of the defence not to mention Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tino Livramento who can play at left back.
Having been written off and doubted before, though, Burn knows what it’s like to defy expectations. This is something the 32-year-old has done over his entire career, from Blyth Spartans to winning the Carabao Cup with Newcastle. It should surprise nobody if Burns ends up going to the World Cup.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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