Lewis Hall finally gets his chance to play as a Newcastle United player at Stamford Bridge this weekend after his 2023 transfer conditions from Chelsea kept him sidelined.
Newcastle received permission to play Hall in last season’s Carabao Cup quarter-final loss under Mauricio Pochettino but chose not to. Now, the 20-year-old finally gets his chance on the big Premier League stage this weekend, and he’s sure to savor it.
Many Chelsea fans were stunned when Hall was allowed to leave last pre-season under a £35 million deal, contingent on a successful loan. Given the senior players ahead of him at Chelsea, including Ben Chilwell, it was always going to be tough for Hall to secure regular game time. Even now, he faces stiff competition from Marc Cucurella and Portuguese international Renato Veiga, making his path to the starting lineup at Chelsea difficult.
Despite his potential, the competition at Stamford Bridge made it clear that Hall’s chances of breaking through would be limited. With established players in front of him, his departure seemed inevitable. Now, at Newcastle, Hall has the chance to prove his ability and show that Chelsea may have missed an opportunity to develop his talent fully.
The answer is likely no, but how does Hall now compare to the young left-sided talent who first emerged in Chelsea’s squad in 2022/23? This season, he’s been a regular starter, unlike last year when Eddie Howe eased him into the lineup gradually.
Hall is primarily an attacking full-back, though pundits have critiqued his defensive abilities. Former Republic of Ireland player John Anderson shared on BBC Radio Newcastle, “I have doubts about him from a defensive point of view. Some of the positions he takes up aren’t great.
“I think it is mainly the case that he isn’t defensive-minded. He wants to get on the ball, he wants to get forward, he wants to join in, which I know is your modern-day full-back, and I appreciate that, but when it comes to defending, you have got to do it.
“You have to be in the right areas; you can’t leave holes behind you, and in the games he has played this season, they have been there for everyone to see.”
Hall acknowledged he had areas to improve upon when he first joined, saying, “I wasn’t at that level when I first joined.” This season, he’s impressed fans with his attacking runs but has contributed to a defense that has only secured two clean sheets.
Newcastle have conceded just eight Premier League goals in eight matches. Three of those came in the away game at Fulham, where Hall was on the bench for the first half.
Hall delivered an impressive performance against Brighton, showing his worth on the field and making sure he wasn’t at fault for the goal Newcastle conceded. Given his strong showing, he’s expected to be included in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge this weekend. For Hall, this isn’t just another game—it’s a moment to showcase his growth. He doesn’t need extra motivation to prove anyone wrong; instead, he’ll be driven by a desire to honor those who were disappointed to see him sold and show that they were right to believe in his talent.
Newcastle fans already know what Hall brings to the table, particularly when it comes to his precise and powerful crossing ability. However, his performances last season, especially his two memorable goals at Manchester United, where he struck two thunderous shots into the Stretford End, have made it clear that he’s a serious threat on the field. Those goals were a reminder that Hall is more than just a full-back—he’s a player capable of making a real impact, and his development will only make him even more dangerous in the future.
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