England manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken fondly of Newcastle United defender Dan Burn after his surprise selection today.
The German announced his first squad as head of the Three Lions on Friday morning and included boyhood Mag Burn to earn his first international call-up.
Familiar face Anthony Gordon also made it along with Tino Livramento, while Nick Pope was not one of the four goalkeepers in the squad, losing his spot to Burnley stopper and Toon target James Trafford.
Blyth’s very own has been a consistent and reliable member of Eddie Howe’s back four this season, doing enough in his 35 appearances in all competitions to impress Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel has relayed his shock that ‘Big Dan Burn’ has never been granted a senior call up after watching him against West Ham United on Monday.
It will serve as a welcome confidence boost for Burn ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley where the defender could help to end his boyhood club’s 70-year domestic trophy drought – but Tuchel quipped that his cap is overdue.
“I was surprised that Dan [Burn] was never called up,” said the German “He is such a tall guy but obviously it is easy to overlook him!
“It almost happened to me. I can tell you from these two phone calls from Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn, you instantly know that you picked the right guys.”
“He’s a little bit overlooked. A very impressive career. A very solid player, who plays regularly for Newcastle; a club competing for the Champions League. He’s a leader, a solid defender and a leader in the group.”
Thomas Tuchel on BDB 💪 pic.twitter.com/8WikuOkmbz
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 14, 2025
Tuchel then opened the door to a World Cup call for the 6ft 7′ Geordie, suggesting players with his leadership and character are vital to the “brotherhood” he is trying to create:
“I truly believe that these two things (quality and character) have to be combined. I truly believe Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every chance to be with us in the World Cup.
“Football in general but maybe even more international football is about team spirit. It is about building a team that loves to play with each other, that transports the spirit to the fans, the nation and the country.
“It is about building a brotherhood. We cannot only do this with young players or senior players, it has to be a good balance.”
Could this just be the week of dreams for one of our own? The clean sheet on Monday, an England call-up on the Friday and potentially a Carabao Cup victory on Sunday – at the very least playing at Wembley for his boyhood club.
A sensational story of personal triumph is Dan’s. Released from Newcastle at youth level and picking up a part-time job at Asda at 16 before being rushed through the youth set-up at non-league Darlington, where he then rose up the football pyramid.
Now: almost 200 Premier League appearances, Champions League goal in black-and-white, captaining the Toon and a soon-to-be England international.