Eddie Howe admits ‘outstanding’ Newcastle player has been so much better than he expected after £13m transfer

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Eddie Howe has recently had to defend his signings as Newcastle United manager.

In the aftermath of the summer transfer window, a lot has been made about Newcastle United‘s recruitment policy.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell claimed that Newcastle’s strategy was not fit for purpose, with his comments causing a bit of controversy.

Eddie Howe defended the signings he made as Newcastle manager, most of which have delivered in a big way for the Magpies.

Newcastle United signed Dan Burn in 2022

One of those players is Dan Burn.

The Geordie defender joined Newcastle United in January 2022, during the first transfer window after the Saudi-backed takeover. Burn arrived from Brighton for £13million, after the Magpies had failed to strike deals for Diego Carlos and Sven Botman.

Other than being a local lad, there was not much fanfare surrounding the arrival of Burn. But he quickly proved to be a key player in black and white, and has established himself as an important part of Howe’s team almost three years after his arrival.

Dan Burn has been better than Eddie Howe expected

On the eve of Burn facing his former club, Eddie Howe has praised the 32-year-old.

During Howe’s pre-match press conference, the Newcastle boss was asked if he thinks Burn has surpassed expectations with his impact since his arrival from Brighton.

“I’d say so, and that’s no slight on what we thought of Dan when he came in,” he said.

“It’s an absolute compliment to how well he’s done. I think he’s been incredible for us.

“I knew Dan was a very good player having managed against him many times for Brighton. But I didn’t realise quite how good he was until managing him and seeing his effectiveness.

“The added bonus with Dan was always the Geordie perspective. The love for Newcastle gave him an extra layer that we wouldn’t have got from any other player signing in that position.

“He’s managed to keep his place in the team and develop into a real leader and a really strong personality on and off the pitch. I can’t speak highly enough about how he conducts himself.

“I think he’s been an outstanding signing for us.”

Dan Burn is thriving in the absence of Sven Botman

Last season was tough at times for Burn. He endured a really difficult period, after rushing back from a broken back.

He was constantly being targeted by the opposition, with pacey wingers tormenting Burn when he played at left-back.

But a return to centre-back brought about a change of fortune, and Burn has carried on that great form in the absence of Sven Botman.

He has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent players this season, and looks revitalised at centre-back. Burn has rekindled his partnership with Fabian Schar, after that duo helped keep Newcastle in the Premier League in 2022.

Burn is playing really well, and it will be interesting to see what Howe does when Botman returns from injury. The 24-year-old is currently out of action after suffering an ACL injury in March.

However, Howe has stated that Botman could be back by Christmas, which could put Burn’s place in the starting XI at risk.