On Saturday, Liverpool suffered the real ‘Big Three’ of the Premier League: Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson (Milton Keynes, 8-8-1997). The ‘3’ of Fulham put Arne Slot’s pupils ‘on the ropes’ by assisting Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Munizen to make it 2-2 at Anfield.
His match against the ‘Pool’ was, possibly, the most complete of his career: he was the player who won the most duels (8), the one who generated the most chances (4), the one who completed the most interceptions (4), the one who made the most ‘tackles’ were successfully performed (3) and the one who gave the most assists (2). “It is difficult to put into words a performance like this, but, I repeat, it is not the first time,” said his coach, Marco Silva.
It is difficult to express a performance like this in words, but, I repeat, it is not the first time
Marco Silva
“It seems strange to me that they call me Antonee, I prefer ‘Jedi'”
The ‘Jedi’ Robinson thing is not trivial. The American international, although born in England, is (almost) better known by his nickname than his name: “My nickname, since I was 5 years old, has always been ‘Jedi’ because I really liked the ‘Star Wars’ movies. . This is how I always introduced myself to teachers or to my new friends. “It seems strange to me that they call me Antonee, I prefer ‘Jedi’.”
My nickname, since I was 5 years old, has always been ‘Jedi’ because I really liked the ‘Star Wars’ movies.
Anthony Robinson
Robinson, who last season was already the ‘3’ with the most goal assists in the Premier, is no ‘phantom threat’: he is the second left back with the most assists in the five major leagues (6). Only Nuno Tavares (Lazio) surpasses him, with 8. What’s more, in the Premier, only two players have given more assists on goals than him: Saka (10) and Salah (8).
Antonee Robinson’s Performance Chart.Driblab
Last year he was the second defender with the most progressive drives [de más de 10 metros en dirección a la portería rival] of the Premier (102) and the one who completed the most interceptions (80). A story that is on its way to repeating itself this year. Robinson is the player with the most interceptions (31), the third with the most successful tackles (31 out of 50) and the ninth with the most passes into the area (28).
quite an athlete
“He doesn’t stop going up and down and, on top of that, in attack, he is decisive. He is a great athlete, but I would highlight, above all, the way in which he has been improving in our defensive process. He had to defend many one-on-one situations with Salah and, despite having a yellow card from the 27th minute, he was brave and aggressive, in a good way,” underlines Marco Silva.
Robinson’s offensive performance.Driblab
Robinson’s physical ability is, simply, outstanding: “Adama Traoré is light years ahead of anyone, but speed is one of my strong points. I am aggressive and have a great reaction capacity to anticipate.”
Intended by City, Liverpool, United…
Robinson’s ‘season’ has not gone unnoticed by the Premier League’s greats. He has been linked to (almost) everyone despite having a contract until 2028: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, United…
Marco Silva, however, refuses to lose him: “I don’t want to talk much about him, because I know that next January the same story will be repeated. “Robinson is very focused and we need to keep him that way for as long as possible.”
I don’t want to talk much about him, because I know that next January the same story will repeat itself
Marco Silva
Robinson does not ‘close doors’: “I’m very good here. The fact that there is interest from other teams is magnificent. Obviously, it all comes down to whether someone loves me enough to pay what Fulham would ask for. So, if the club sees it as a good idea, I would leave.
From transferable to essential for Marco Silva
Robinson grew up in the Everton youth team idolizing Leighton Baines. Curiously, his departure to Wigan, transferred, coincided with the arrival of Marco Silva at Goodison Park. Hence, when he saw the Portuguese coach arrive at Fulham, he was suspicious of his future at Craven Cottage.
“He signed Digne for Everton and sold me. When he arrived at Fulham I thought: ‘Bad times for me, he didn’t like it’. However, it has been the opposite. He has helped me grow as a player. I owe him a lot.” , acknowledges Antonee Robinson, named Fulham’s ‘Best Player’ last season.
Robinson’s recoveries compared to other full-backs in the major leagues. Driblab
Signed for £2 million in 2020, Robinson rose with the Cottagers in 2021-22, being chosen in the Championship’s ‘Ideal XI’. Since then, he has not stopped growing: “I feel like I can do well at this level. I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
