Dan Burn

Dan Burn is the kind of player whose international call-up raised eyebrows but whose performances quickly justified it — a towering left-sided centre-back or full-back standing well over six feet, dominant in the air and deceptively comfortable with the ball at his feet. His journey from Darlington and Yeovil through Fulham, Wigan, Brighton, and eventually Newcastle reflects a career built on persistence rather than pedigree. At St. James' Park he has been a fan favourite and a reliable performer in Eddie Howe's back line, offering England a physically imposing option at set pieces at both ends.