Thomas Tuchel on brink of giving Lewis Hall ‘dream’ debut - history can repeat itself
Thomas Tuchel gave Newcastle United star Lewis Hall his Chelsea debut in 2022 - could he do the same again for England?
Many in Newcastle United circles were begging the England question after Lewis Hall’s latest showing. Arsenal are widely considered to boast the most talented young wide players in the Premier League - the Magpies stifled both.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli had no answers for Hall or Livramento at the weekend. Three Lions golden boy Saka, valued by transfrmarkt.com at a staggering £117million, was made to look like a pub player by Newcastle’s £28million man.
What a turnaround it has been for the left-back. A year ago, many were questioning his arrival, with Eddie Howe withdrawing him at half-time against Borussia Dortmund and Bournemouth.
In typical Howe fashion, he has patiently moulded Hall into his image - with Newcastle now having a future England stalwart on their hands. Harbouring a quiet confidence, Hall, when picking up his man-of-the-match award, laid out the bait for a phone call from Thomas Tuchel.
“Obviously, there aren’t many left-backs in the England squad so I’d be lying as well if I said I hadn’t noticed that too but I’m just focused on playing for Newcastle,” he said. “If I’m playing well at Newcastle, that’s all I care about at the moment.”
History could repeat itself as the German was the man to hand Hall his Chelsea debut - aged 17 - in the FA Cup. The 5-1 win over Chesterfield almost three years ago was the defender’s first sample of professional football.
In a fast-paced world, the 20-year-old is now on the cusp of international stardom. Hall remains at the stage of his career where interviews seem awkward and nervy but, on the pitch, he looks every bit an England player.
Tuchel noted Hall’s quiet persona following his maiden bow in January 2022, He said: “It was his performance in general and his attitude in training (which earned him his debut). The quality he showed was very calm and very good in our possession games and the little games he trained in.
“We never really trained with the full squad so it was more small-sided games, but he was good. I haven’t heard him speak so much in training. But he deserved to play, he is a nice guy and very calm. (It was a) huge opportunity at Stamford Bridge. He took his chance and was hugely involved in some of the goals. I’m happy for him.”
And with the Three Lions bereft of talent at left-back, who could challenge him? Only injuries can stop Hall from cementing that spot as his own for club and country.