Dan Burn says he’s not here to be a cheerleader after England’s maiden call-up

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn was delighted after he earned his maiden England call-up. Burn scored for his club in a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and was added to the Three Lions squad by head coach Thomas Tuchel.

England will play two World Cup qualifier matches against Albania and Latvia. Burn said he is not here to be a cheerleader and he would look to give his best for the national team.

“He [Thomas Tuchel] said I’ve been playing well for a long time. I’m not just coming in to be a cheerleader. I want to play,” Burn told a news conference on Tuesday.

“I’m trying to take it camp by camp and make a big impression as I can and try make the next camp. Every little kid’s dream is to play in a World Cup.

“To know I have got that opportunity, if I take it, is special.”

Burn said it was an interesting week for him after he received a call from the German manager on Thursday and won the EFL Cup on Sunday.

“I’d definitely say I’ve had worse weeks. The manager Facetimed us on Tuesday, he said they were debating whether they were calling us up,” Burn said.

“Six o’clock Thursday night I had not heard anything then I got a text at 10 p.m. I got a Facetime call and I did struggle to sleep.

“He said first of all not professional being in bed for 10 p.m. So, I apologised for that. Then he said he has been ringing everyone that had not made the squad. He said he needed to end the day on a good note.”

Burn thought he wouldn’t get his chance to play for England under former coach Gareth Southgate but there was new hope with Thomas Tuchel.

“I think I have been overlooked, but I understood it — what Gareth did to bring England where it was to where it is now,” Burn said.

“It was about the togetherness, but that worked against me a little bit. So, when the new manager came in, it was kind of a new slate. Luckily, the new manager has taken a chance on me and I want to grasp the opportunity.”

England will take on Albania on Friday.