Thomas Tuchel has to include Dan Burn in England’s World Cup squad for one simple reason

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What a week it’s been for Dan Burn, with the Newcastle United man playing a key role in England’s successful conclusion to World Cup qualifying.

It’s a real full circle moment for the Newcastle United ace, having made his international debut against Albania back in March, he’s now rounded off 2025 with a towering display on Sunday evening.

Dan Burn now looks to be a permanent fixture in Thomas Tuchel’s plans, but as we know, competition for places in the England setup is fierce.

While the national press claim Burn isn’t good enough on the ball for England, he still obviously has his merits, and Tuchel simply must take him to the USA next summer for the World Cup.

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Dan Burn’s versatility makes him perfect squad member

Newcastle fans were glad to see Burn at centre-back for England after a few weeks of him playing at left-back for the Magpies while covering for the injured Lewis Hall.

But, it’s that ability to play different roles that makes him absolutely essential for Tuchel when it comes to selecting a 26-man squad for the tournament next summer.

It’s all well and good picking the best 26 players on paper, but if we’ve learned anything as England fans over the years it’s that injuries will always come along and scupper the best-laid plans.

Not only that, but ability is not always the best measure for a squad, with teamwork, flexibility, and mentality also crucial.

Burn brings all of those attributes and then some. He’s different to anything England have at the back, really, aside from maybe Harry Maguire, with strength, aggression, and aerial threat very much his strong points.

But, the fact Burn is also comfortable slotting in at full-back surely puts him head and shoulders above any of his rivals for a place on the plane. He offers Tuchel the versatility that is imperative to a successful tournament squad, and we’d be very surprised if the England manager ignored that.

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Pushing for World Cup place will spur Dan Burn on this season

Burn will know full well that, despite his recent success with England and his good performances for Newcastle, nothing is set in stone until he’s announced in the squad next year.

From now until then, the big defender will be giving his all to get Tuchel’s attention and approval, and that can only be a good thing for Newcastle.

There’s an incredibly tough run of games for Newcastle coming up before Christmas, and Burn will have to be at his best to help them through that.

If he continues to be the leader and rock at the back that he is, Burn will surely have done enough, but the fact that he will be going the extra mile with the World Cup in mind can’t hurt at all.