Why Arsenal and Chelsea are Monitoring Newcastle’s Left-Back Lewis Hall Closely

It became evident when Alexander Isak orchestrated a transfer to Liverpool that challenges were on the horizon. Moreover, Yoane Wissa’s return from injury and Nick Woltemade’s efforts have failed to resolve the Magpies’ striker predicaments.

Newcastle facing European qualification struggles

Among the few bright spots this season has been Anthony Gordon’s scoring prowess in the Champions League and his overall form, but there’s been little else for the enthusiastic Geordie supporters to get genuinely thrilled about.

The persistent speculation regarding Eddie Howe’s potential departure from the club is quite telling.

As the Premier League season nears its close, Newcastle currently rests in 14th position, trailing Liverpool by 10 points, who occupy the last Champions League spot, and five points adrift of Brentford, in seventh place, which would secure them a spot in the upcoming Conference League.

While the prospect of qualifying for European football is slim, it’s certainly not out of reach. With Howe’s consistent optimism, the Magpies could potentially rally for a strong finish in the 2025/26 season.

Moreover, there is a pressing need for such a turnaround.

Interest from rival clubs in Newcastle’s stars

Since the Saudi Public Investment Fund took over Newcastle from Mike Ashley, the aim has been to elevate the club to becoming the country’s most successful football entity.

Although there have been high points, including their Carabao Cup final victory, the team hasn’t progressed to the extent that many had hoped.

If Newcastle fails to climb into European qualifying positions in the remaining matches, it could pave the way for rival clubs to target their top players.

A standout performer whose stock keeps rising is Lewis Hall.

Lewis Hall’s outstanding form

This season, Hall has featured 41 times under Howe, marking a personal best in a single campaign and highlighting his growing influence. His inclusion in the senior England squad has also boosted his profile.

His remarkable performances have piqued the interest of several clubs, but acquiring him won’t come cheap, particularly with his contract at Newcastle lasting until June 2029, alleviating any urgent pressure to sell.

Preliminary inquiries have reportedly been made by a couple of European clubs, though Chelsea and Arsenal are thought to be the most keen.

The Blues may consider offloading Marc Cucurella, especially after he suggested a return to Barcelona in a recent interview, while Mikel Arteta might look to shift Myles Lewis-Skelly if it means landing Hall.

Impressive statistics

Several factors contribute to the strong interest in the 21-year-old.

Firstly, his tackle success rate of 58.7% stands out as one of the best within the Newcastle squad, and only four players have made more clearances (79) than him this season.

His 42 interceptions rank him third in the team, only surpassed by Sandro Tonali and Malick Thiaw. Additionally, Hall’s 44 headed clearances are exceeded by only Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, and Thiaw.

As expected, the figures reflect his role within the squad, with Hall being the ‘next best’ option behind centre-backs. Notably, he’s also second in possession wins with 199, only trailing Tonali, who has 223.

This tenacity has earned him adoration from supporters at St. James’ Park, and his 385 duel attempts are just behind Burn’s 388, representing the highest figure from any player in a black and white shirt.

So far, Hall has won possession 224 times, giving him a success rate of 58.2%, second only to players who have engaged in 300 or more one-on-ones.

Hall has a penchant for pushing forward whenever possible, making him a natural fit for attacking teams like Arsenal and Chelsea.

With a pass completion rate of 80.1% and 931 passes attempted, he ranks fourth in terms of workload this season.

Although he has just six shots on target in the 2025/26 season, translating to a meagre 3.9% conversion rate, he still shows promise for growth.

His crossing success has also been subpar this season, with just 13 (17.3%) reaching a teammate.

Yet, it is crucial to remember that Hall is at the nascent stage of his career, showcasing commendable statistics thus far with ample opportunity for improvement.