The oldest England debutants this century as Dan Burn earns first call-up | OneFootball

Dan Burn is celebrating after being included in the England squad for the first time. The Newcastle centre-back has been selected in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad, ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

At 32, it caps a remarkable rise for the towering defender who began his career in the fourth tier at Darlington. Now, he could become the second-oldest England debutant since the turn of the century.

The oldest England debutants this century as Dan Burn earns first call-up

Alan Thompson vs Sweden, March 2004 (30 years and 101 days)

England’s lack of a natural left-sided option was an ongoing problem during the early noughties. There were round pegs in square holes, as Sven-Göran Eriksson tried and failed to find a solution.

Alan Thompson was handed his chance as England took on Sweden in March 2004. The winger had excelled since leaving England for Celtic, where he won four Scottish Premiership titles and helped the Bhoys reach the 2003 UEFA Cup final.

Thompson started the game and played an hour of a 1-0 defeat to Sweden, but did not earn another England cap.

Chris Powell vs Spain, February 2001 (31 years and 173 days)

Chris Powell made his England debut in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s first game in charge. The 31-year-old full-back started as Spain were beaten 3-0 at Villa Park, courtesy of goals from Nick Barmby, Emile Heskey and Ugo Ehiogu. Powell won four more caps but found opportunities to be limited amid the presence of Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge as left-backs.

Rickie Lambert vs Scotland, August 2013 (31 years and 179 days)

Rickie Lambert celebrated a dream debut for England as the forward netted with his first touch against Scotland. The Three Lions saw off Scotland 3-2 in an entertaining game at Wembley, that saw Lambert come off the bench to head home from a set piece.

Lambert’s magical moment completed a fascinating football tale. The bulk of his career saw the forward feature in the Football League, taking in spells at clubs including Macclesfield Town, Stockport County and Rochdale before making his top-flight debut at 30.

An integral part of Southampton’s rise from the third tier to the Premier League in successive seasons, Lambert earned an England debut after scoring 15 goals in his first top-flight season. He earned 11 caps for England, scoring three goals, and travelled as part of the squad to the 2014 World Cup.

Leon Osman vs Sweden, November 2012 (31 years and 181 days)

An Everton icon, Leon Osman made 433 appearances for the Toffees during a long career with the club. In 2012, he was rewarded with a call-up to the England squad and made his debut against Sweden. The contest was remembered for one man’s performance, however, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four goals in a 4-2 win for the hosts.

Osman earned just one more cap, against San Marino in 2013.

Iconic Performances: Zlatan stuns England and turns critics into believers

Kevin Davies vs Montenegro, October 2010 (33 years and 200 days)

Kevin Davies became England’s oldest debutant in 60 years when he featured against Montenegro in 2010. The Bolton battering ram had been a regular nuisance for Premier League backlines and earned a chance for the national team. On as a substitute for Peter Crouch, Davies picked up a customary yellow card during his one and only England appearance.

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