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Stuart Pearce believes Luke Shaw remains England’s standout left-back - but backed Lewis Hall to improve under Eddie Howe.
In 1997, the now 62-year-old was in a similar position to Newcastle United youngster Hall. Pearce joined the Magpies and was an England international, albeit at the latter stages of a 24-year career.
Toon fans only saw the back end of a player who earned a fierce reputation for club and country. However, the opposite is true of Hall, who will likely spend his prime years at St James' Park.
England legend Pearce has been impressed by Hall but thinks the Toon ace is still behind Manchester United left-back Shaw. He said: “I still feel as though, if everyone’s fit, Luke Shaw is the standout England left-back.
“But I’ve got to say, I was at Newcastle a few Saturdays ago and watched them play Arsenal. Lewis dealt with Saka extremely well. I probably knew at that stage he’d be in the England squad as a natural left-sided player. I’ve been barking on about it but, at left-back and right-back, we need natural players that are left and right-footed.
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“I’m not sure it works having a right-footed left-back. I’ve seen it many times before and Kieran Trippier’s done it OK, but you’re missing that attacking option in the last third and that’s too critical to miss out.
“I think Lewis has done pretty well coming on the pitch at Greece and anybody that plays in the top echelons of the Premier League can handle international football without a problem. He looks like a player that’s improving all the time, he’s working with a top coach in Eddie Howe at Newcastle and he’ll only get better.”
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