There is a feeling outside Newcastle United that Paul Mitchell recently criticised £28m player

Add as preferred source on Google

Paul Mitchell has been very vocal about Newcastle United’s recruitment strategy.

The Newcastle United sporting director was very outspoken following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, on the back of the Magpies failing to make any major signings.

Paul Mitchell believed he could sign Marc Guehi, but was unable to agree a deal, as he endured a tough start to his St James’ Park tenure.

After the window closed, Mitchell appeared to go on the defensive. He stated that he only played a supporting role in Newcastle’s transfer activity, before criticising the way in which the club had been going about signing players before his arrival.

It seemed a bit harsh, as Newcastle’s transfer business has largely been impressive since the takeover in October 2021. Eddie Howe defended his signings, while tension built between the two Newcastle United chiefs.

However, Howe and Mitchell have since held fresh talks and there is hope that their relationship is improving.

Who Paul Mitchell may have been referring to with Newcastle recruitment comment

While that relationship will hopefully get better, what Mitchell said will not disappear.

He was critical of Newcastle’s previous transfer business, and had to have a reason why. There had to be at least one deal that irked him.

According to iNews, at least one person who works in recruitment away from Newcastle United has suggested that the Lewis Hall deal may have been what Mitchell was referring to.

The Magpies signed Hall on loan from Chelsea last year, before completing a permanent deal for £28million this summer.

It was a huge investment for a player with little experience, while it has taken him a long time to look comfortable in a Newcastle United shirt. Mehrdad Ghodoussi was a key figure in the Hall deal, but he has now left St James’ Park.

Lewis Hall was outstanding for Newcastle against Manchester City

At the time, £28million looked like a lot of money to spend on Lewis Hall.

Now he has improved, and is showcasing the type of potential that convinced Newcastle to commit so much money towards him.

The 20-year-old has played a lot of football already this season, and was trusted to start against Manchester City. That was a big decision, and it paid off. Eddie Howe was delighted with Lewis Hall, who was a contender for man of the match after the 1-1 draw.

Hall was Newcastle’s unsung hero against Man City, and is making that left-back position his own. If he continues grow as a player, he will eventually look cheap at £28million. It was an investment in the future, and it now looks like that investment will pay off.

Maybe Newcastle’s recruitment before Mitchell’s arrival wasn’t so bad after all…