Lewis Hall Outlines Journey to Newcastle and England Left-Back Role
In a column for NUFC The Mag, Lewis Hall outlines his journey from the Chelsea academy to becoming the established first-choice left-back for both Newcastle United and the England national team.
Lewis Hall began his career in the academy ranks at Chelsea, playing across both midfield and defense before settling at left-back. NUFC The Mag reported that Thomas Tuchel gave the player his first taste of senior football when they were both at Chelsea.
Tuchel handed Hall his first-team debut in an FA Cup match in January 2022, when the player was just 17 years old. That appearance made him Chelsea’s youngest-ever player in the competition.
“I was 17 at Chelsea when I first trained with the first team and I just remember him and his staff being really welcoming to me… I think they realised what a big thing it was for a young player,” Hall told NUFC The Mag.
Hall has established himself as England’s primary left-back option following strong performances, including a standout display in a 2-1 victory over Croatia. He expects to feature in the starting lineup for an upcoming match away against Spain.
While his youth development included stints in midfield, Hall now views his long-term career path on the flank. The playing style implemented at St James’ Park heavily influences that perspective.
“A lot of my game has been developed at left-back but I think I could play in midfield if I needed to… but as a career, I feel I have more ability at left-back just with the way we play at Newcastle United as it really suits my game with full-backs being involved,” Hall told NUFC The Mag.
That system allows him to touch the ball frequently in advanced areas. He spent the previous season sharpening the defensive side of his game to balance his attacking instincts.
During his time at Chelsea and within the England setup, Hall worked closely with former England international Ashley Cole. That mentorship shaped his positional awareness and defensive decision-making.
“He helped me a lot when I played towards the end of my spell at Chelsea. He gave me a lot of advice and he tries to help me out now,” Hall told NUFC The Mag.
Cole tailored his coaching to account for differences in player profiles rather than demanding a rigid template. Hall said that Cole advised him to trust his own ability and apply useful advice along the way.