Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has discussed fighting for a World Cup place and working with Thomas Tuchel once again with England.
Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall is battling for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad after returning to the England set-up for the first time since his serious foot injury last year.
Hall has been one of Newcastle’s standout performers in an otherwise underwhelming campaign. At just 21, he is hailed as one of the best in his position in the Premier League and has seen his form rewarded with a Three Lions call-up.
England face Uruguay and Japan at Wembley Stadium in the final international break before the end of the domestic season.
It will see Hall involved in the senior England set-up for the first time since earning his first two caps under Lee Carsley back in 2024.
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Lewis Hall ‘completely different’ since Chelsea departure
The Newcastle defender knows Tuchel well from his time at Chelsea. The England boss handed Hall his professional debut for the Blues back in 2022.
But Hall has stressed that he is a ‘completely different player’ to the one Tuchel briefly worked with at Stamford Bridge.
“When I knew him back in my Chelsea days, I was obviously not quite in the first team, but I was training quite regularly with them at a certain point,” he said.
“He was the one who gave me my debut, so I was obviously incredibly grateful for that, and that’ll be a memory that I’ll always have.
“But I think I’m a completely different person now, completely different player now so I don’t necessarily read too much into the past.
“I know he’s a great guy, so I’m looking forward to working with him again. He’s obviously a great coach.
“For me personally, I just want to look to do my best here and learn from these players and from this coach.
“Hopefully that will put me in a good position.”
NUFC duo compete for World Cup place
Hall will be hoping to keep his place in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer. His left-back competition is Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and his Newcastle teammate Tino Livramento.
While Livramento naturally plays as a right-back, he has featured on the left for both club and country.
And the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay on Friday and Japan next Tuesday will be the final chance players get to impress Tuchel directly before he assesses his World Cup squad in June.
“There’s two ways you can look at it, it can be quite nerve-racking knowing that this is the last opportunity to maybe impress,” Hall said.
“But at the same time, I think you play so many games in the season, I think they all know the way that you like to play.
“And I think this is just another chance for you to show not only what you can do on the pitch, but what you’re like off the pitch.
“And I think if you can spread positivity across the group, and I think he’s always been keen on making sure that everyone in the group has their part to play off the pitch.
“So I’m just looking to be as happy as possible and enjoy my football here. Hopefully it will put me in a good position.”
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