Thomas Tuchel has set a clear objective for England’s squad: winning the 2026 World Cup. The head coach addressed the players at St George’s Park, emphasizing the importance of maximizing their limited time together. With just 24 training days before the tournament, he stressed the need to build a strong sense of unity and accountability among the squad.
Defender Dan Burn, a recent addition to the national team setup, was impressed by Tuchel’s approach. “He said that the goal is to put another star on the jersey,” Burn noted. “Everyone was really tuned in and wants to buy into that vision.” The emphasis was placed not just on tactics but also on team culture, fostering a spirit of camaraderie where players feel comfortable speaking up and pushing one another.
Tuchel drew inspiration from other sports, referencing the NBA’s top teams and their emphasis on positive interactions. “The best teams are the ones constantly high-fiving and picking each other up,” Burn explained. “At Newcastle, we talk about this a lot, and it helps keep people motivated. I think that’s something we’ll implement here.”
Burn’s call-up to the England squad came at a high point in his career. Just days before, he played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, scoring a goal and earning man-of-the-match honors. Despite the historic triumph for his boyhood club, he quickly shifted focus to the national team. His childhood idol, Alan Shearer, even joked that he should retire on a high. “I told him, ‘I’ve got England tomorrow,’” Burn said. “It was getting rowdy at the hotel, and I was just ready to go to sleep!”
The defender reflected on his unconventional path to the top. Released by Newcastle as a youngster, he struggled to break into local teams before eventually making his way through the lower leagues with Blyth Town, Blyth Spartans, and Darlington. At 24, he was released by Fulham, only establishing himself as a Premier League regular with Brighton in the 2019-20 season.
“I’ve been doubted a lot throughout my career,” Burn admitted. “Not many people who saw me at Darlington would have thought I’d be sitting here with England. I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove people wrong.”
At 32, Burn had accepted that an England call-up might never come, but Tuchel’s arrival changed that. “The new manager has given me this chance, and I just want to make the most of it,” he said. “It’s similar to when I joined Newcastle—I thought that opportunity had passed me by, but I managed to take it.”
Tuchel had joked that Burn was “very tall but easily overlooked.” The defender took it in stride, saying, “That’s probably the story of my career. But I was surprised how tall the gaffer is!”
As Tuchel led training with the full squad, he also involved three under-21 players—Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Wharton, and Liam Delap. Burn is taking things step by step, hoping to earn his first cap, but he sees potential parallels between Newcastle’s recent success and England’s long wait for a major trophy.
“There are a lot of similarities,” he observed. “From speaking to Tuchel, I’m confident that everything possible will be done to finally bring the trophy home.”
