Newcastle United were handed another difficult Carabao Cup draw last night, this time against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The euphoria of crushing Manchester United at Old Trafford was dampened slightly as Newcastle’s reward for a fantastic performance was yet another away match against Premier League opposition.
Chelsea isn’t as intimidating as it once was because Todd Boehly has yet to find the magic formula despite spending £1 billion on transfers.
Pochettino has steadied Chelsea but Newcastle can still beat them
Mauricio Pochettino has come in and helped to steady the ship, but they are still far from their former self.
Newcastle will believe they can go to Stamford Bridge and win again, securing a Carabao Cup semi-final spot.
They may have to do it without Lewis Hall, who scored last night.
Lewis Hall 🤝 scoring for his boyhood club! pic.twitter.com/PCI5DtRT4j
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 2, 2023
While Newcastle have an agreement in place with Chelsea to buy Lewis Hall from them at the end of the season for an initial £28 million, he is still technically a Chelsea player this season.
Chelsea could allow Hall to play for Newcastle in the next round
That means he won’t be able to face Chelsea in the Premier League because league rules prohibit it, but in the Carabao Cup, if the club holding the player’s contract gives written permission to the other club, they can field an on-loan player if the two sides meet.
As things stand, Lewis Hall is ineligible to face Chelsea in the next round, but if Newcastle makes a request and Chelsea grants written permission, he may be able to play.
But, let’s be honest, would you allow one of your current players to potentially knock you out of a cup competition if you were Chelsea?
It looks likely then, that Newcastle will have to get past Chelsea without Hall in the side.
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