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Burn wishes Isak 'all the best' after controversial move to Liverpool

Dan Burn speaks to the media ahead of England's game with Andorra
Dan Burn speaks to the media ahead of England's game with Andorra ČTK / AP / Andrew Yates
Newcastle United and England defender Dan Burn has spoken to the media ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

England have not lost any WC preliminary match since an away defeat versus Ukraine in 2009 and manager Thomas Tuchel will be looking for another 3 points on Saturday night.  

Burn wishes nothing but the best for Isak

Burn spoke to the press once Tuchel had addressed the media’s questions and first spoke on Alexander Isak who made his controversial move from Newcastle to Liverpool this week. 

"I am glad it is done. We wanted the transfer window closed to have a bit of clarity on it. I have been in football long enough to understand that for a player, the careers are short and they have got things they want to achieve. 

"Alex is a mate and it is a tough situation because you want him to be around and helping the team, but also understand for him what he needs to do personally. I have nothing but good wishes for Alex. 

"No animosity. As a Newcastle fan, we are very protective of our club and city and we want players to be there who want to play for Newcastle and you don't want them to naively think that there is anyone else to go apart from Newcastle. So I understand why our fans are frustrated. 

"I wish Alex all the best apart from when we play Liverpool, obviously."

Facing huge teams such as Brazil

He was next asked about playing against the likes of Brazil next summer, something World Cup preparation does not include, as England face European sides.

"That's the thing about World Cup qualifiers, sometimes you don't always play these big teams, and it is about having that same mentality no matter what you're doing.

"Bruno (Guimares) is a top player, and Brazil are full of top players themselves. It is a joy to watch when you're behind that. If I have the ball, he is always there wanting it, and I can give it to him. I heard he had a great game last night." 

Burn improves with age

Age is just a number for Burn as he admits that the older he gets the better he becomes, which is a common trait in a lot of modern players who train relentlessly.

"I have been playing well for a long time now, and that has built a lot of confidence - and being successful last season by winning the League Cup and qualifying for the Champions League - so I feel in a really good place. I also feel the older I am getting, I am still getting better.

"It's an exciting season now that I am 33 and getting a chance to play Champions League again, and the possibility of making the World Cup squad motivates me to keep pushing myself."

Guehi is Burn's main competition

Burn also opened up on his competition in the side and concluded that Crystal Palace star and Liverpool target Marc Guehi is the player he is in head-to-head competition with.

"The way the gaffer has divided up, yes.

"Obviously, Marc is a top player and very close to moving to Liverpool as well. I feel like it keeps us pushing, and I feel like that's what the gaffer wants in possession and the patterns he wants us to get further up the pitch, and it suits that.

"Yeah, right at this moment, I'd probably agree that he is the direct competition."

"I should be here"

Finally, after heaping praise on Nottingham Forest's Elliott Anderson, Burn reveals that he thinks he deserves to be in the England squad after a number of impressive seasons with The Magpies.

"I think the first camp it was amazing to be there. But I feel the more camps I go on now, I feel more confident in your ability to play at this level.

"It is sort of the unknown when you come here, until you play a game, you don't know if you can do it. But now that I have done it, I feel like I should be here and deserve a place."

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