Uncapped Newcastle Defender Dan Burn Set for Surprise England Call-Up Under Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel is preparing to name his first England squad on Friday, and reports suggest Newcastle United’s Dan Burn will receive his first international call-up in a surprise selection.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, who replaced Gareth Southgate following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat, has been scouting extensively across Premier League grounds in recent weeks. Tuchel has reportedly compiled a shortlist of 55 players before making his final selection for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
According to the Daily Mail, the 32-year-old Newcastle defender has caught Tuchel’s eye primarily due to his versatility, with the German coach impressed by Burn’s ability to operate effectively as both a left-sided center-back and left-back.
Why Dan Burn Has Impressed Thomas Tuchel
Burn’s potential inclusion comes at an opportune moment following the season-ending foot injury to his Newcastle teammate Lewis Hall. The Blyth-born defender has been a consistent performer for Eddie Howe’s side this season, making:
- 35 appearances across all competitions
- 27 starts in Premier League matches
- Consistent defensive contributions as Newcastle push for European qualification
Tuchel was present at the London Stadium on Monday night to watch Burn in action during Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over West Ham, where the defender delivered another solid performance at center-back.
Standing at 6’7″, Burn brings significant aerial presence and defensive stability—qualities that could prove valuable for England’s upcoming fixtures against Albania (March 21) and Latvia (March 24) at Wembley Stadium.
The Newcastle man’s journey to international recognition has been anything but conventional. After beginning his career at Darlington and Fulham, Burn established himself at Brighton before securing a £13 million move to his boyhood club Newcastle in January 2022.
Since joining the Magpies, Burn has made 138 appearances and become an integral part of Eddie Howe’s defensive unit, helping transform Newcastle from relegation candidates to Champions League participants last season.
Before joining up with the England squad (should his selection be confirmed), Burn will have one last crucial club fixture—the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley this Sunday, where he’ll hope to help Newcastle secure their first major trophy since 1969.
Tuchel’s willingness to consider previously uncapped players signals a potential fresh approach for the Three Lions as they begin their journey toward World Cup 2026 qualification. This selection approach could open doors for other Premier League performers who were overlooked during the Southgate era.
Are you excited to see new faces in the England squad? Follow our complete coverage of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad announcement on Friday and join the conversation about which other surprise selections might feature in this new era for the Three Lions!