It’s fantastic to see Newcastle United represented so strongly in the England squad.
Indeed, Newcastle United have been a growing presence amongst the Three Lions ranks during the PIF era at St James’ Park.
At the 2022 World Cup, all of Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Callum Wilson travelled as part of Gareth Southgate’s squad. Less than two years later at Euro 2024, Trippier was joined by Anthony Gordon.
Now, Newcastle have three players in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. While Trippier has retired from international football, Gordon makes his way back into the set-up alongside recent debutant Tino Livramento.
In another feel-good story ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, Dan Burn has earned a call-up too.
At 32, the defender is in line to make what would be a remarkable international debut, having progressed through the leagues over the course of his career.
Tuchel values Burn’s versatility and was keen to point out another facet of his game.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel compares Newcastle United star Dan Burn to Jordan Henderson
Another one of the surprise names in the England squad was Jordan Henderson.
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The former Sunderland midfielder hasn’t played for his country in almost two years, having dropped out of the squad following an ill-fated move to Al Ettifaq from Liverpool in 2023.
Currently at Ajax, Tuchel believes Henderson’s leadership qualities see him warrant an inclusion, something that can be said of Burn too.
“For me, Jordan is a similar call-up to Dan Burn,” he said.
“They carry these values on their shoulders, they carry their teams and it’s absolutely reliable what they bring in terms of energy.
“This is where the focus is to build a strong and cohesive team as quickly as possible.”
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer reacts as Dan Burn wins England call up
Burn has been in excellent form for Newcastle this season, even if the defence hasn’t exactly been watertight at times. His lack of pace is hardly his fault and its surely more of a reflection on Newcastle’s squad-planning when he and Fabian Schar are exposed because of it.
No matter how highly you rate Burn or not, it would be hard to suggest his England call-up isn’t an amazing story.
He must have thought his time had passed. However, having hit new heights after joining his boyhood club after going on quite the journey to get there, it’s fairytale stuff.
Alan Shearer was delighted England called up Burn and swathes of Newcastle supporters will almost certainly agree with him.