Former Sunderland star Jordan Pickford hails Dan Burn mentality before England face Argentina | OneFootball

England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, with Jordan Pickford highlighting Dan Burn as exemplifying the squad’s mentality.

According to Sunderland Echo, the former Sunderland goalkeeper said the Newcastle United defender has embodied the approach driving England’s campaign. Burn broke into the squad last year after a surprise call-up from head coach Thomas Tuchel, travelling to North America clear about his role.

He did not feature in group games against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, or in the round-of-32 win over Noah Sadiki and Arthur Massuaku’s DR Congo. He then came off the bench in the round of 16 against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, helping repel multiple attacks as England won 3-2.

Burn was used again in Saturday’s quarter-final with Erling Haaland’s Norway, a 2-1 extra-time victory. In the final seconds he powered a header clear from the edge of the area, an intervention that ended any doubt over the result and drew further approval from Pickford.

Pickford described Burn as brave, noting he had barely played before stepping in against Mexico to make a series of headers and deal with an overhead kick from Jimenez. He said Burn’s readiness reflects the character within the squad, and that training standards mean chances must be taken, pointing to that last header against Norway as evidence.

Source: Sunderland Echo