It is vital that Eddie Howe improves players at Newcastle United.
Player development is pivotal for the Magpies, as they continue to be held back by PSR. The Premier League’s financial rules mean Newcastle United cannot afford to go out and buy readymade players who are already the finished article. Instead, they need to bring in younger players and develop them.
That is what Eddie Howe has been doing ever since he became Newcastle United manager. He has raised standards throughout the club, and got every ounce of talent from the players available.
During Howe’s tenure, Joelinton has been the most improved player, but Anthony Gordon is also a player who has taken his game to new heights. Newcastle saw the potential in Gordon, which is why they invested so much money in him back in January 2023. Now they are reaping the rewards, as Gordon is worth twice as much and considered one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has really taken his game to a new level over the past 18 months, but he is not Newcastle United’s most improved player for 2024.
Lewis Hall is Newcastle’s most improved player of 2024
Instead, that honour goes to Lewis Hall.
At the start of 2024, Hall was a benchwarmer. Newcastle United were in the midst of an injury crisis, yet Howe was still reluctant to turn to Hall.
It seemed extremely strange, but Howe was actually protecting Hall. He wanted to wait until the left-back was ready, rather than over expose him and potentially damage his development.
It was a bold move, but it proved to be the correct decision. A chance eventually came Hall’s way in March on the back of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles’ injury, with Dan Burn required at centre-back.
Since then, Hall has been a first-team regular at St James’ Park. And it is not just out of necessity – right now he plays at left-back ahead of Lloyd Kelly and Matt Targett, while Kieran Trippier is not a consistent starter either despite being able to play on the left or the right.
Hall is in the Newcastle United starting XI on merit, as he ends 2024 as a completely different player. The 20-year-old has improved rapidly, establishing himself as a key player in black and white and becoming a full England international.
Howe thinks Hall will prove to be cheap at £28million, and the former Chelsea player is well on the way to proving his manager right.
How Lewis Hall has improved
When he arrived at Newcastle, it was clear that Hall needed to improve defensively.
His positioning was questionable, while he lacked physicality. It always looked like you could exploit Hall, which is perhaps why Howe opted to protect him and keep him out of the limelight – despite the media circus that surrounded him.
But Howe has said Hall was committed to improving, and that is exactly what he has done. Earlier this season, Hall kept Bukayo Saka quiet. There is no way you would have predicted him doing that at the start of 2024.
Hall also has a lot more confidence. While he strikes you as a shy guy, he really seemed to lack belief when he first arrived on Tyneside.
But Howe thinks Hall’s confidence has grown, which goes hand in hand with how his game has improved.
You can see on the pitch that Hall backs his ability. He wants to be involved in attacks, while megastar teammates like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes trust him with possession. They know what he can offer.
Technically, Hall has always been impressive. He was a centre-midfielder when he first came through the ranks at Chelsea. His quality on the ball, combined with his new defensive talent, makes him the perfect modern day full-back.
It has been a great year for Hall, and there is so much more to come from a player who is still only 20-years-old.
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