After receiving his first call-up for the Three Lions, Newcastle United and England defender Dan Burn showcased some successful compartmentalisation skills that were crucial to his man of the match performance in the EFL Cup final.
At the age of 32, Burn was selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad just two days before Newcastle’s Wembley clash with Liverpool. Despite the whirlwind week, Burn delivered an imperious display as Newcastle secured a 2-1 victory over the Premier League leaders, ending their long wait for a domestic trophy.
Scoring a crucial goal just before half-time and playing a key role in preserving Newcastle’s lead, Burn’s focus quickly shifted to joining the England camp at St George’s Park to prepare for upcoming matches against Albania and Latvia.
In an interview with the England team’s social media channels, Burn explained how he managed to stay focused amidst the chaos. “It was hard, I just had to put the England thing in a box for a while, just sort of concentrate on the final, but the second the final was done, my focus shifted,” he said.
Having experienced a career that has seen him play in each of the top five tiers of English football, Burn credited his resilience for earning him a late opportunity to impress at the international level. “It’s not been a very straight line my career, it’s been lots of ups and downs, but I think that’s made us quite resilient,” Burn shared.
Returning to Newcastle in January 2022 after stints with various clubs, Burn expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his determination to make the most of it. “I’ve always felt I’ve had the ability to play at this level, but it’s just about being given the opportunities, so I’m just looking to repay the faith the manager has shown,” he added.