According to his own admission, Dan Burn had the 8th most incredible days in his 16-year professional football career. First called up to the England national team at the age of 32, two days later he scored at Wembley and lifted the Carabao Cup title for his childhood club Newcastle to end a 70-year domestic title drought. And a few days ago, the 2m01 tall central defender started in the match against Albania.
Dan Burn has had two excellent performances at Wembley in a week. And his subsequent performance, in Thomas Tuchel's first game as England head coach, completely changed the thinking of the "Three Lions" defence.
For about a year, Marc Guehi has been the most stable centre-back in the England team. The Crystal Palace player has always been at the top of the call-up list and was given priority in the starting lineup. Guehi has started 6 of the 7 matches for the "Three Lions" at EURO 2024, only missing the quarter-finals against Switzerland due to suspension. Guehi has always been Gareth Southgate's choice, and more recently under Lee Carsley.
But Tuchel seems to have other ideas. The 24-year-old was benched in the match against Albania. Instead, Ezri Konsa and Dan Burn are Tuchel's current favorite centre-backs, with John Stones and Harry Maguire still unable to return to the England team due to injury. Guehi suffered a knee injury a month ago, but has played all three of his matches since then. Therefore, the injury concern does not seem to affect him.
"It was a simple decision to trust Dun Burn after the big final (Carabao Cup) and I don't want to disrupt his spirit. He is having a good journey.
Maybe it's Marc Guehi, maybe Levi Colwill, but we chose Dan Burn. He impressed during training. It's like he's wearing his 50th shirt, not the first time," Tuchel said.
It is noteworthy that Tuchel spoke about Dun Burn's communication and leadership skills on the pitch. That is the factor that the German strategist has called for more in the current England team, and perhaps not one of Guehi's strengths.
But in any case, Guehi's decision to leave the number 1 position in England's defense is still the most shocking and decisive thing that has been done so far in Tuchel's new era.
