Pre-season has started for Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe’s side are currently in Germany of course as they prepare for next season in the Premier League and domestic cups, which begins little under a month away now.
Naturally, a lot of the talk involving Newcastle of late has been centred around off-field matters.
Howe is being linked with the England job, while owners PIF have brought in both a new sporting director and a new performance director in Paul Mitchell and James Bunce.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have also left St James’ Park, news that is thought to have hit Howe hard.
All of this has gone on during a busy transfer window in which the club, as ever, are being linked with all manner of moves.
Still, there is the small matter of a new season to prepare for.
Speaking about the early stages of the summer, Howe was of full praise for young Lewis Hall.
Eddie Howe names the Newcastle player who has started pre-season so well
Speaking to the club’s official media channel posted on YouTube, Howe said: “From Lewis signing for us permanently, outstanding at the back end of last year. I have to say he has started pre-season really well as well, so I have been delighted with him.”
Lewis Hall showed signs of improvement last season
It wasn’t easy for Hall, who initially joined on loan from Chelsea before making the move permanent earlier this summer.
At times last season, he struggled for game time amid concerns his defending wasn’t quite up to the required level.
Howe admitted that had frustrated Hall but there were promising signs towards the end of the campaign.
The youngster grew in confidence and certainly showed signs of being the player the club’s coaching staff genuinely believe he can be.
While putting too much pressure on him ahead of next season feels unwise, there are reasons to be excited going forward.
It’s great to hear he’s hit the ground running this summer already.
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