- Newcaslte left-back Lewis Hall nominated for award
- Hall’s special season in a subpar team
- Why the England international should win award
Amid a rather difficult campaign for Newcastle United, there have been a few standouts who have come to the fore. Perhaps none has been more obvious than Lewis Hall, who has been recognised for his performances with a Young Player of the Season nomination by the Premier League.
Hall has been a stalwart in both domestic and European competition this year. This has seen him emerge as a frontrunner for the starting left-back spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad in the coming summer.
Among the other candidates nominated for the award are Junior Kroupi, Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki, but there’s just something about Hall’s season that trumps them all.
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Lewis Hall’s excellent season
Despite the baffling removal of Hall from the starting XI in recent weeks in favour of Dan Burn, the 21-year-old has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season. Only Bruno Guimarães really has the credentials to challenge Hall’s place as the Magpies’ standout.
Hall has played 44 games for Newcastle in all competitions. Some of his standout performances include the Champions League first leg against Barcelona, where he pocketed Lamine Yamal, and Newcastle’s 1-0 away defeat to Manchester United, where he was essentially a one-man band.
But his influence can’t be condensed down to merely a couple of games.
In the difficult period of the season where Guimaraes was missing due to injury, Newcastle’s form took a downturn.
But Hall remained one of those showing himself every week and at least trying his hardest, which is more than can be said for many others in the squad.
His technical ability and work in tight spaces have been particularly magical, but the left-back has also shown much improvement in defensive areas this season.
Hall has developed into a full-back not many wingers want to face, and most know it’s a long day when you come up against him.
Why Hall should win the award
Most will likely look at Newcastle’s poor season and see that as a hindrance to Hall’s case for winning the award.
But it really should strengthen it.
Hall’s ability to constantly stand out in a largely below-par team has been mightily impressive. Not to mention he’s done it all from left back.
Some of the other candidates may have had more obviously impressive seasons, namely the Manchester City duo.
But, for example, Hall has been involved in constant debates with Man City’s O’Reilly about who should start for England whilst playing in a much worse side with fewer opportunities to shine.
You can also downplay Hall’s season by looking at the past few weeks, but the England international simply shouldn’t be punished for Eddie Howe’s inability to see his unwavering importance to his side.
If there is to be any competition for the award, Junior Kroupi probably poses the most serious threat. But even then, the Frenchman hasn’t had to play in a team full of tactical shortcomings and underperforming players.
Of course, there might be some bias involved. But it’s safe to say every Newcastle fan will agree that this season could have been a lot worse had Hall been absent.
The contributions of both him and Bruno Guimarães are largely all that have prevented the Magpies from being dragged into a genuine fight for survival, and that simply must be acknowledged.
