‘Buzzing’ – New Newcastle United signing opens up as ‘club-record’ transfer announced
Lewis Hall is resolute in demonstrating why Newcastle United invested in him after experiencing challenging times during his debut season. Hall’s loan move from Chelsea became permanent on July 1 after Newcastle met the performance-related criteria, triggering a £28 million deal – a club-record fee for a teenager.
Initially, there were doubts about whether Hall’s transfer would be finalized. During his first six months at St James’ Park, the 19-year-old made only four starts, and in three of those matches, he was substituted at halftime. These limited appearances led to questions about Hall’s playing time and his future prospects at Newcastle.
Hall was aware of the speculation surrounding his future but remained focused on working hard and learning from the coaching staff. “You’ve obviously got this obligation clause which could be triggered for the price that it is and you’d look at it and go ‘you’re not playing, what’s going on?’ As a fan, you wouldn’t necessarily know what is going on inside,” Hall shared with NewcastleWorld.
Hall emphasized his commitment to improving and understanding the team’s playing style, which helped boost his confidence as he gained more game time towards the end of the season. “Going into this season, it has given me confidence to show why Newcastle bought me,” he added.
Admitting that he wasn’t initially up to Newcastle’s fitness standards, Hall worked diligently to meet the physical demands and understand Eddie Howe’s expectations.
His first significant opportunity came with back-to-back starts against Borussia Dortmund and AFC Bournemouth in November, though he didn’t start again for another five months.
Hall described his first season at Newcastle as a learning curve, focusing on reaching the necessary fitness levels and adapting to the team’s play. “It took me a lot longer than I thought it would but I kept working hard and kept my head down. Eventually, when my opportunity came, I had to take it. I was really grateful for the run I got in the team at the end,” he said.
Moving away from his family in Slough added to Hall’s challenges. “Moving away from home was a massive thing because you’ve got all your family at home to support you,” he explained.
Hall experienced “dark days” at training, where he sometimes doubted if he was cut out for Newcastle’s style of play. However, with support from the coaching staff, he learned to adapt and overcome these setbacks.
Hall’s perseverance paid off when he earned another start against Everton on April 4, following positive substitute appearances against Manchester City and West Ham.
He recalled the pivotal moment against West Ham, saying, “When I came on, I just thought, ‘I’m just going to try and build on this. If we get one goal, who knows what can happen.’ Then we got another, and next thing you know, it’s 4-3, and everything changes. That was a big moment for me.”
Hall started seven of Newcastle’s last nine matches of the season. After navigating a tough period, his current challenge is to cement his position as the starting left-back. Reflecting on his growth, Hall noted, “I’ve definitely matured a lot. As a person off the pitch, I think I’ve come out of my shell a little bit more. On the pitch, defensively, I’ve improved massively.”
Signing permanently with Newcastle was a moment of relief and excitement for Hall. “It was an amazing feeling,” he said. “I knew what was coming, so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but there was a sense of relief. You never know in football; things can change so quickly, but I was buzzing when it got announced even though I did know it was going to happen.”
Lewis Hall’s journey at Newcastle United has been marked by initial struggles, perseverance, and eventual success. His determination to improve and adapt has proven his worth to the club. As he continues to develop, Hall looks forward to solidifying his role and contributing significantly to Newcastle’s future success.
