Mauricio Pochettino could welcome one of the Premier League's most exciting young stars back to Chelsea in the summer
Chelsea have been dealt a major boost to their hopes of retaining Lewis Hall following Eddie Howe's latest admission. The 19-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle United in the summer on an initial season-long loan, which includes a £28million obligation to buy.
Despite swapping Stamford Bridge for St. James' Park in search of first-team minutes, Hall has been starved of opportunities in Tyneside. The Cobham graduate has featured just three times for the Magpies in the Premier League this term, averaging less than half an hour an appearance .
While Newcastle managed to lure one of the Blues' top prospects away from west London, Howe isn't so certain that Hall will still be at the club next season. Ahead of the Magpies' clash against Fulham on Saturday, he failed to confirm that the Chelsea loanee will still be at the club in the summer.
Howe revealed that the decision to keep Hall isn't his and that there is 'performance criteria' which must be met to activate the obligation to buy clause. This, of course, grants Chelsea a major lifeline after the teenager was let go.
"You’re asking the wrong man. I’m not 100 per cent sure,", when asked about the details of the targets Hall has to meet. Hall explained: "Lewis is a really talented player and has huge technical qualities. He is creative and has a very good final delivery. He is a really good attacking full back.
"He’s got certain things to learn defensively which we are working on with him. But he’s a young age and recently converted to left back. He may need a little time to get that defensive solidity that we’re looking for."for
Then, when asked who would make the final decision, Howe added: "It’s not mine. He’s here now. He’s a Newcastle player. I think there’s certain criteria he has to meet."
Despite not having offered Hall many opportunities, Howe described the youngster's arrival as an excellent piece of long-term business for the club. In the summer, the 46-year-old said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lewis to Newcastle United.
"He is a player we have tracked closely, as have a number of clubs, so it's very pleasing to secure him and to add a player of his quality, versatility and high potential to our squad. I'd like to thank everyone involved for their tireless work to bring in the players we have.
"A lot of time, effort and resource goes into a transfer window. But we have a real togetherness at all levels here and I appreciate that teamwork and support."
Hall revealed he was a boyhood Newcastle fan following his departure from Chelsea in the summer. He added: "I’m very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It's a big club and I can't wait to get started.
"I got a lot of experience last year in some big fixtures and I was really proud of the way I progressed as a player and a person. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I've supported since I was a kid, I'm honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.
"It's very exciting. When you look back on last season and the way the team performed – not just the results, but the performances the team were putting in – it was amazing.
"There's so many talented players and we've got the Champions League now as well so there's many different competitions that I know the team will be wanting to do well in, and hopefully get a trophy or two as well."
Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage following their defeat to AC Milan in the week. The Magpies also missed out on the Europa League via third-place qualification so minutes could be even harder to come by now for Hall.