Danny Murphy is a huge fan of £13m Newcastle man but has identified an issue

Add as preferred source on Google

Danny Murphy has spoken of his love for Newcastle United defender Dan Burn but has admitted there is a huge problem in his game.

Dan Burn has been a surprise package since he joined his boyhood club Newcastle from Brighton for £13million in January 2022.

Brought in by Eddie Howe as a centre-back to help shore up Newcastle’s defence in a desperate bid to keep the Magpies in the Premier League under almost impossible circumstances, Burn became a key figure in Newcastle’s miraculous survival.

Danny Murphy hit the nail on the head with his comments on Burn

In Eddie Howe’s first full season in charge, Burn was shipped out to left-back after new signing Matt Targett picked up an injury. Burn performed so well in the back line which also consisted of Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar, that he become first-choice left-back.

This season, however, Burn has found himself back at centre-back in a couple of games due to Sven Botman picking up a knock, and unfortunately, this is where his weakness has been exposed.

Danny Murphy, speaking on the FIVE podcast, hit the nail on the head when he said: “Dan Burn, although I love him and he had a great season at left-back, at centre-half, he gets isolated for pace.”

Pace isn’t just a Dan Burn problem, it’s lacking all across the defence. Sven Botman is by far our best defensive player, but he’s not exactly leaving Back To The Future-esque fire trails in his wake when he runs.

Newcastle desperately need more cover in defence

However, having to use Burn at centre-back again shows just how thin we are when it comes to defensive reinforcements.

Fans were crying out for a new centre-back this summer, preferably one with pace but the club failed to sign anyone in that position. Four games into the season and if it weren’t for the international break we’d likely have been fielding a defensive partnership of Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles this weekend.

It’s a long way to go to January, but hopefully the club put it right when they get that opportunity at the turn of the year.