Newcastle
Newcastle United compares star player with the hardest task ever
Lewis Hall: a skilful, albeit raw defender carrying the weight of Geordie expectation – and a £28million price tag – on his shoulders. You will not find many Newcastle United supporters wanting anything other than the 19-year-old to become the next Eddie Howe success story.
There is something about him; whether that be the innocence of youth or lack of opportunities since arriving, that emanates warmth. That genuine feeling of wanting somebody to do well.
So far, his Newcastle career has been uninspiring. Just three Premier League starts all season has miffed fans who considered Hall the answer at left-back when he arrived from Chelsea.
Until the recent international break, Hall had only played 104 minutes in the top flight for Newcastle. That is despite an unprecedented injury crisis – an enigma that began to infuriate fans once results nosedived.
Until the recent international break, Hall had only played 104 minutes in the top flight for Newcastle. That is despite an unprecedented injury crisis – an enigma that began to infuriate fans once results nosedived.
However, those defensive frailties reared their head – especially last weekend. Offensively, Hall looks stellar, but a lot of work remains to become the finished article.
Alex Iwobi gave him the runaround for the first half at Craven Cottage but, to his credit, he recovered well. It became clear in the last two games that Hall’s lack of game time has been down to his naivety at the back.
Thankfully for him, Howe and Newcastle fans, his skipper may provide the perfect master craftsman. Kieran Trippier, a former ultra-attacking, slender-built full-back, developed into the finished article under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid – an observation he has previously acknowledged.
“Simeone was incredible with me,” Trippier said shortly after arriving on Tyneside. “He knew how I played. He changed my game defensively. He changed my game and the work I did individually, and I learned so much from him.”
Trippier averaged 3.54 tackles per 90 minutes in his first season at Newcastle – up from 2.65 as a Tottenham Hotspur player. The 33-year-old also made more blocks and interceptions (both 2.08 per 90) compared to his final campaign at Spurs (1.46 and 0.91 per 90).
Howe has previously called Trippier “the heartbeat” and “transformative” man in his team. Now is the time for him to nurture a young cub who can become a lion at St James’ Park.
The similarities between Hall and a young Manchester City reject are there. La Liga titles, Champions League finals and European Championship finals came Trippier’s way once he tightened his defensive game. At the same age, Hall has already surpassed him – he should now bleed every drop of knowledge from the veteran while the chance is there.
