Lewis Hall believes he is now a completely different player to the one who debuted at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel almost three years ago.
Hall was Chelsea’s youngest FA Cup player at 17 years and 122 days when Tuchel selected him in the FA Cup third round against Chesterfield in January 2022. Hall, who played as a midfielder in the academy, started in the left side of the game. Tuhel returned three.
Hall has now established himself as Newcastle United‘s first-choice left-back and has earned his first place in the England squad for this week’s matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, the latest of Lee Carsley’s mini spell. . And Hall has a chance to put himself in England’s trouble spot before Tuchel takes over as England’s new manager in January.
Hall, speaking at St George’s Park on Tuesday afternoon ahead of England’s flight to Athens on Tuesday, is confident he now has more caps ahead of a potential meeting with Tuchel next year.
“I think I’m a completely different player now,” Hall said, recalling his time at Tuchel’s Chelsea. “I played at left half in that game (against Chesterfield), which is obviously different and I’ve never done it before.
“I think Tuchel knew that I was a midfielder at that time, he knew that I was comfortable with the ball and he knew that we had a lot of possessions. I’m not sure if that matters now. Especially when I feel like my game is completely different now than it was then.”
Tuchel makes his Chelsea debut in 2022 (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Although it was the only game Hall played for Tuchel before being sacked in September 2022, he still has fond memories of the new England manager.
“I remember when I was at Chelsea, I was 17, when I trained with the first team for the first time,” Hall said. “I remember him and his staff making me feel really welcome. They understood how important it was for me as a young player. His sessions were really good, very possessive, which I really liked. He was a good man for me, he gave me my debut. Without this, I wouldn’t be able to develop my confidence. So I’m grateful to him for that. But now I have to focus on the coach that Lee is.”
Since moving to Newcastle United in 2023, Hall has established himself as a left-back despite playing in midfield in Chelsea’s academy. After a slow start last season, he is now an integral part of Eddie Howe’s team and has started eight of their 11 Premier League games this season.
And Hall knows that, in the absence of other specialist left-backs, he has a chance to stake his claim this week.
“I felt a little short just because of the lack of outright left-handed pitchers in the lineup,” he said of his selection. “There are some players who can play on both sides, left and right, but yes, I thought if I play well for my club, that’s all I can do and then the decision is in the hands of the coach. Obviously, I was happy when he chose me.”
GO DEEPER
Tuchel wastes precious time by not taking charge of England this month
