Dan Burn discusses leadership duty with new Newcastle signings

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Dan Burn has taken on the job of helping new signings settle in at Newcastle United.

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has a responsibility to assist new players with their transition into life at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe clearly trusts the 31-year-old with the task of making new signings feel welcome.

Burn will have been busy in this regard this summer, as Newcastle have brought Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall to the club. All of these players will have needed varying levels of support in making the adjustment to life on Tyneside.

Discussing his responsibility with The Shields Gazette, Burn said, “my role is to just help them get settled in. Trying to make them as comfortable as possible and trying to pass on information when we can if they want to learn from us.”

Harmony and competition at Newcastle

Burn, who joined the club in a £13 million deal from Brighton in 2022, is now part of the Newcastle leadership group that Howe has assembled, alongside the likes of Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, and club captain Jamaal Lascelles. All these senior figures will play a key role on and off the pitch this season, however, they will be increasingly aware that their place in the pecking order is under threat.

Hall, for instance, will directly compete with Burn for a place in the Newcastle starting XI. Burn understands this is how it must be and is sanguine about the situation. The 6’6” Blyth-born defender said that this summer Newcastle have focused on “bringing in younger lads who will eventually push us older lads out – hopefully no time soon.”

Burn will certainly fight for his place in the team. Howe will also have to rotate his squad regularly and strategically throughout this season anyway. With Champions League football to play, as well as ambitions to chase a domestic cup, there will be plenty of football and opportunities for every member of his squad.

Despite this increased competition for places, the fact that Burn is so willing to help Hall and the rest of the new recruits settle in is testament to the harmonious nature of the Newcastle dressing room under the guidance of Howe.