David Beckham 2.0? Newcastle United legend open to playing as winger for England

Few people walking this planet have enjoyed a better week than the Blyth native. Firstly, new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel surprisingly gave Burn - who turns 33 in May - his first international call-up.

This came as a surprise to the Toon ace, who admitted to giving up on his England dream when speaking to NewcastleWorld last year. But the biggest shock to the system was yet to come at Wembley just 48 hours later.

Burn put in a match-of-the-match performance to help Newcastle put Liverpool to the sword and end the club’s 70-year wait without domestic silverware. Not only that, he lived every Geordie’s dream by scoring the opener - a bullet header that rifled past Reds goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

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Post-match celebrations in Boxpark saw Burn being serenaded by a sea of black and white. However, the festivities were cut short as the 6ft 7in defender was required for England duty on Monday morning.

And who else but Burn would be thrown in front of the media after enjoying the best week of his life? Speaking to reporters, the Newcastle star shared his early England memories watching another famous “DB” - while quipping about taking his position.

“David Beckham scoring that free-kick (against Greece in 2002) is probably the first time I thought ‘Wow, I love football’,” Burn said. “The World Cup (before), we were in Florida with the family, I remember getting up at 3am to watch England vs Argentina (in 1998) with my dad. That was a special memory for me and probably set off a dream of wanting to replicate that. 

“I feel comfortable (in a back three or back two). I’ve played both positions in the Premier League. Graham Potter at Brighton played me in a hybrid role and I’ve done the same at Newcastle. To be honest, I just want to contribute wherever I can. I don’t really care where I’m playing. I’d play right-wing if it gets me on the pitch!”

Burn took the less-travelled route to the top after being released by his boyhood club Newcastle aged 11. Spells Blyth Town, Blyth Spartans and Darlington forged the way for an unprecedented footballing journey.

“It’s made me very resilient (playing at lower-league level),” Burn added. “I haven’t had a straight-line trajectory in my career. I started really late and it’s been very up and down. I made my Premier League debut at 21 then three years later was released by Fulham. 

“It’s all made me stronger. I don’t really care about people’s opinions. I know what I’m good at. The only people's opinions that matter to me are Eddie Howe and the manager here (Tuchel).”

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