'He's a good player': MauricioPochettio makes brilliant admission about Chelsea star loaned by Todd Boehly

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says it was a tough decision to lose Lewis Hall as he had the right condition to succeed at the club.

The 19-year-old was Chelsea's academy Player of the Year and featured heavily at the end of last season. But he had to move to Newcastle this summer on loan. He is unavailable to play against Chelsea this weekend as part of the agreement on his loan deal but Pochettino admits it was really hard to give him playing time here.

He told reporters ahead of the trip to St James' Park tomorrow afternoon: "It was a player with the conditions here, too many players in that position ahead of him. The player and the club made the best decision for both sides.

"Unlucky that he cannot play but he has a good future and hope he can settle well there."

Chelsea have not won on their last four trips there and Pochettino admitted the job Eddie Howe has done there is remarkable especially when when he took them up when they were bottom of the table.

He told reporters: "When we arrived in Southampton he was at Bournemouth and I think doing a great job. Great manager, and one of the best coaches in England. Need to remember he arrived when Newcastle was bottom and look where Newcastle is. 

"We know very well they are doing a fantastic job, Eddie is still young but with experience, one of the most talented coaches in Europe.