Newcastle United’s 2023 summer transfer business has been questioned a lot, but it finally seems to be paying off.
The Magpies spent a lot of money last summer, but did not have much to show for it for a long time. That was largely down to Sandro Tonali’s ban, with the club’s second most expensive signing ever receiving a 10-month suspension for betting.
As well as that, Harvey Barnes struggled with injury and was unable to prove why Eddie Howe had decided to replace Allan Saint-Maximin with him.
The only summer signing that was thriving for Newcastle United was Tino Livramento, and he was barely playing in his favoured position of right-back.
Newcastle United signed Lewis Hall from Chelsea
Then there was Lewis Hall, who joined Newcastle United on loan from Chelsea. The deal also included an obligation to buy for £28million if certain criteria was met.
For a long time, there was confusion surrounding Hall. Some fans speculated that he might not sign at all, with Eddie Howe opting not to play the teenager.
The 19-year-old watched on from the sidelines, while there were reports that Eddie Howe did not trust him defensively to start in the Premier League.
Now Hall has gained that trust, and suddenly looks much more comfortable in a Newcastle United shirt.
Lewis Hall gives honest verdict on his first few months at Newcastle
And now he is starting to play well, Hall has reflected on what was an extremely difficult start to life at St James’ Park during an interview with the club’s official website.
“It was a tough start for me personally,” he said.
“Not just them [family], but everyone has supported me along the way. Even though it was a difficult time, they stuck by me – players, staff, family, friends. Looking after me on and off the pitch.
“I feel like I’ve improved massively in some aspects of my game. And I feel like I’ve become a better person for being able to deal with these setbacks.”
Hall added: “Looking back now, it has made me mentally a lot stronger than I was before. I’ve overcome things that, if I knew were going to happen, I’m not sure I could have before coming here.
“When I first came, if I’m totally honest, I don’t think I was myself in terms of on the pitch. I don’t think I was at the level I could have been at in training. That does come when you’re travelling so far from home and living on your own. It’s difficult being away from friends and family, but I felt like as time went on after a couple of months I started to show signs of myself. As training went on, I felt like I was starting to improve. The gaffer and all the coaches were helping me improve certain aspects of my game.”
Hall has improved so much since joining Newcastle United
It is really refreshing to hear Hall speak so openly and honestly about his first few months as a Newcastle United player.
He has admitted that he was not as good as he could have been in training, as he struggled with the challenges of moving away from home. That is difficult for any player, never mind one who is still a teenager.
Combine that with the fact that he joined late in the summer after pre-season and he was basically playing catch up.
But he certainly has caught up now, and Hall is getting the chances he has been craving. Howe seems much happier picking Hall, and he is justifying his place in the team with some excellent performances.
He is showing why Newcastle are happy to spend £28million on him, with Hall boasting the potential to develop into a real star on Tyneside.
This is only just the beginning for Lewis Hall at Newcastle United, and he believes his difficult first few months have made him a stronger person.
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