Dan Burn has prevailed as one of Newcastle United’s most crucial performers in what has proved to be a successful season for Eddie Howe’s side.
Burn famously opened the scoring for Newcastle in their Carabao Cup win over Liverpool at Wembley — a goal etched into the club’s history books.
Newcastle have been unfortunate to lose Sven Botman to injury for a lot of the season, but Burn has stepped up in his teammate’s absence.
Eddie Howe has often used Burn as a makeshift left-back during his time at St James’ Park, but the England international does prefer playing as a centre-back.
And an extended chance in his favoured role has led the defender into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, something that even surprised Burn himself initially.
Dan Burn makes bold Alexander Isak claim
That being said, when speaking about his England call-up and other subjects in an interview with Stadium Astro, Burn then went on to praise some of the club’s ‘top’ players.
Burn mentioned an extremely talented quartet — Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, and then went on to praise the club’s number nine further.
The defender spoke about facing Isak in training before going on to praise Howe’s recruitment as a whole.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Asked about how easy it was to initially settle at Newcastle, Burn replied: “It’s easy, I said when I signed I didn’t just want to be this stop gap signing who was just signed to keep the club up.
“I wanted to continue to play and sort of push myself and I do feel like I’m improving year on year, and listen it’s amazing to play with those sort of players like Bruno and Sandro and Gordy and Alex who are top, top players.
“Like Alex, you could have an argument saying he is one of the best strikers in the world at the moment but I get to train with him every day so it can only help me.
“I think while the manager has been here the recruitment has been very good, not only from how good the players are, but how good they are in the group.
“I was saying before how much of a brotherhood there is and we all really fight for each other and it’s been amazing.”
Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans
Of course, Newcastle will be looking to continue their recruitment success in this summer’s transfer window.
Newcastle are in contact to sign a talented defender who Howe has already praised when a move to St James’ Park was mooted in the past.
Howe will surely be asking Paul Mitchell to improve the depth of his squad upon the club’s return to European football.
Newcastle’s starting eleven really is among the best in Europe when all are fit, but Howe doesn’t have the strength in depth available to compete with Manchester City or Liverpool for example.
Although, Newcastle are interested in Liam Delap this summer, who might come in to replace Callum Wilson as Isak’s back-up.