Eddie Howe has made some very impressive signings during his time as Newcastle United manager.
While Paul Mitchell questioned the Magpies’ previous transfer strategy, there is no denying that Eddie Howe has brought some real quality to the club since his arrival.
Major money has been spent on a lot of players, even if some of those deals did raise eyebrows.
The Magpies spent £13million on Dan Burn, and Eddie Howe insists that he is one of his best Newcastle signings.
Newcastle United have also invested in potential, splashing out on the likes of Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall with the view to making them better.
That has certainly happened, with all three players becoming England internationals since moving to St James’ Park and working with Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United surprised they were able to sign Lewis Hall
That happened a lot sooner than expected for Lewis Hall, who has probably been Newcastle’s biggest transfer gamble.
Newcastle brought Hall in on loan in 2023, with the deal including an obligation to buy for £28million if certain clauses were met. Those clauses were met, and Hall became a permanent Toon player in 2024.
It now looks like money well spent, and Eddie Howe always thought Hall would prove to be a bargain.
It took a bit of time for him to kick on, but Newcastle always had complete faith in the left-back’s potential – possibly more so than Chelsea.
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle United were shocked that Chelsea agreed to sell Lewis Hall to them in 2023.
Chelsea did benefit from a PSR perspective, as they were able to sell an academy graduate for major money. That has allowed them to reinvest.
However, they also lost a man who could be England’s first-choice left-back for the foreseeable future.
Newcastle United taking advantage of Chelsea’s mistakes
Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have an eye for talent and potential.
They saw it in Hall, and they also saw it in Livramento. That is why the club spent huge money to draft him in, despite having Kieran Trippier playing the best football of his career.
The Magpies invested in their future, and now have two players who should be in the Chelsea starting XI right now.
But their loss is Newcastle’s gain, and it was almost an even greater gain. Sadly for Howe, he was unable to sign Marc Guehi in the summer – another player who came through the Chelsea academy.
It feels like Newcastle have missed their chance to sign Guehi, as they prepare to take their business elsewhere.
But Newcastle will continue to sign the right players at the right time, as they aim to think outside the box.
That is what they did with Lewis Hall, as they snatched a player who Chelsea never should have let go.
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