What Lewis Hall's England call says about Newcastle United
Lewis Hall's England call-up says a lot about Eddie Howe's Newcastle United team – and the club's direction since the takeover.
Lewis Hall was all smiles when he reported for England duty at St George’s Park this week.
And that was not a surprise, as Hall is on the cusp of his first senior cap after a fine few months at Newcastle United, the club he joined in the summer following a season-long loan.
The 20-year-old, called up along with Anthony Gordon, has been joined in the squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Republic of Ireland by club-mate Tino Livramento, who was moved up from the Under-21 group.
Hall, once a midfielder, has established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back this season.
‘Dream’ transfer
Yet it was a different story a year ago in the months after his initial temporary move from Chelsea. Hall found Premier League starts hard to come by as he adjusted to Eddie Howe’s demands on Tyneside, and Dan Burn was fielded at left-back as the club juggled domestic and European football for the first time in more than a decade.
Hall, clearly, had to get up to speed, though that is nothing new to the boyhood United fan, who had the beating of his elder brother Connor in his teens.
He grew up in Bracknell, Berkshire, with Connor, who left home as a teenager after being picked up by Sheffield United.
“We’re six years apart, but we used to have games against each other at home,” said Connor, who plays for National League North club Brackley Town.
“We always had a competitive edge. It’s funny. We used to do pre-season training together when he was 14, 15 maybe. I was obviously staying away, but so I’d be back for summer. I think the year he turned into a first-year scholar, so he would have been 15 or 16, he beat me in a race.
“I remember it well. I thought ‘I can’t get myself into that situation again!’.”
Last month I interviewed to Connor for The Sun ahead of Brackley’s FA Cup tie against Hartlepool United, and the 26-year-old explained their affinity with the club.
They grew up 250 miles from St James’ Park, but everything was always black and white for the Halls, who wore Newcastle kits for their garden kickabouts.
“My dad’s from up there, said Connor. “We got Newcastle kits when we were younger. It was always Newcastle when we were growing up.
“He obviously got the dream move to Newcastle, which is just amazing for him – and amazing for us.”
The Halls’ story, of growing up in the South East of England as Newcastle fans due to family links, resonated with me. Jacob Murphy and his brother Josh, similarly, grew up in the south as United fans due to their family connections with the region.
There’s always been strong Geordie influence in Howe’s squad thanks to the likes of Burn and Sean Longstaff, and the United’s head coach values that deep connection with the club.
Now Hall, having outpaced his brother all those years ago, has now got into his stride on Tyneside. He was named as the club’s Player of the Month for October following an impressive run in the team.
As explained by Kev Lawson in his Substack newsletter, Hall, with his ability on the ball, has given United another dimension in terms of starting attacks from the back.
This was again evident in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the build-up to the club’s second and third goals. Hall is adept at getting Bruno Guimaraes, and the quicker he’s involved, the better.
Takeover turnaround
Connor told of his “pride” at his sibling’s England call-up last week.
There is also pride among United fans that the club has helped yet another talented young player win an international call-up.
And Hall – who has handed his Chelsea debut by incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel in January 2022 aged 17 – has a big opportunity in front of him given a dearth of out-and-out English left-backs playing at the top level.
The uncapped Livramento, a right-back, also looks to have a big chance following the international retirement of club-mate Kieran Trippier.
A move to Newcastle never looked to be a particularly good career move for talented and ambitious players looking to make the grade at England level during Mike Ashley’s time as owner.
Only 11 Three Lions caps were won by Newcastle players during Ashley’s ownership.
Michael Owen played seven games, while Alan Smith (2), Andy Carroll (1) and Andros Townsend (1) were also capped in that period.
Since the takeover in late 2021, 33 senior England caps have been won by United players. That is an extraordinary turnaround, and that statistic underlines the progress that has been made on the pitch under new ownership.
Hall, Livramento and Gordon can win many more caps over the coming seasons.
So Hall did not just get a “dream” move to the club he supported growing up when Newcastle signed him, he also got an opportunity to progress his career at international level.