There has been some upheaval in Newcastle United’s management department over the past year, but Ross Wilson has formed an interesting working relationship with Eddie Howe, and both men are looking to make improvements at St. James’ Park.
Last year, Howe and his team defied the odds to win the Carabao Cup and restore a Champions League spot. It all came together, and while the sale of talisman Alexander Isak this summer threatened to disrupt things, United have progressed in recent weeks, with new heroes emerging.
Bruno Guimaraes remains the Magpies’ inspirational leader, but Malick Thiaw has risen to the occasion since arriving in the Premier League this year, becoming a different kind of driving force for the Tynesiders.
Howe’s new management at Newcastle
Isak was never a vocal talisman in Howe’s Newcastle team but, ahead of the summer transfer window, he led by example on the pitch, scoring 27 goals in all competitions last season and winning the Carabao Cup final.
However, Newcastle paid a record fee for his signing, and Guimaraes has only improved his game this season, both from a technical and leadership perspective.
Although a new focal point forward has yet to properly establish himself, Thiaw has come to life in the Premier League without issue, and Bruno has actually remarked that the imperious German defender is “the future of this club”.
The fact that he arrived from AC Milan for around £35m and quickly overtook Sven Botman says a lot about his character and technical quality. According to Sofascore, Thiaw, 24, has won 74% of his aerial duels in the Premier League, completing 88% of his passes and having yet to make a mistake.
He’s a player, and so is Bruno, but United could actually have a younger member of their squad moving up the English football rankings, starting to prove that he could be the pick of the group.
Newcastle made a better signing than Bruno and Thiaw
When Newcastle signed Lewis Hall from Chelsea for £28 million (following a season-long loan through the 2023/24 campaign), they knew they had secured a bargain for a young full-back with great potential.
However, injuries have hurt the 21-year-old’s chances of gaining some mastery since this move became permanent, and so it’s interesting to see him playing so well in recent weeks, finally transforming into the elite player he could, should, become.
Described as “the best player on the pitch” by journalist Andy Sixsmith after his monstrous display against Tottenham, Hall has overcome his injury problems and now reminds the Premier League that he is one of the best in the business. Indeed, with more performances like these, it won’t just be those of a Toon persuasion pleading for him to be on the Three Lions’ plane to cross the pond next summer.
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Lewis Hall v Tottenham |
|
|---|---|
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Match statistics |
# |
|
Minutes played |
90′ |
|
Keys |
75 |
|
Shots (on target) |
3 (0) |
|
Precise passes |
36/43 (84%) |
|
Opportunities created |
0 |
|
Dribbling |
2/2 |
|
Recoveries |
6 |
|
Tackles won |
4/4 |
|
Interceptions |
2 |
|
Clearances |
4 |
|
Duels won |
8/15 |
|
Data via Sofascore |
|
According to FBref, Hall actually ranks in the top 7% of fullbacks in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, top 11% for progressive passes and top 5% for through passes and tackles won per 90.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance from the starting point to the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass within the penalty area.
He is a fearsome and well-rounded player, his formative career as a central midfielder fostering a dynamic skill set that allows him to progress towards the top. If the England international can maintain his fitness alongside him, he will only improve on Tyneside, potentially even becoming Howe’s main man.
In this, he could become one of the best signings of the PIF era. It’s already clear that his name has a place in such a conversation, but Hall now needs consistency. Who knows, maybe he could climb to higher ground than Bruno and Thiaw are on.
There is also the matter of his arrival from Chelsea after receiving Cobham’s Academy Player of the Year award. Pinched from a direct rival, Hall is developing into a player who will rival Marc Cucurella for the left-back crown down the line.
With so much room for growth, there’s every chance Hall could become Howe’s main man in the not-too-distant future.
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