Antonee Robinson: Fulham’s in-form star on becoming one of the Premier League’s best left-backs

In a league where conversations are often dominated by the title race and goal-scoring is often attributed as the primary path to success, defenders can easily slip under the radar.

Nonetheless, it’s been a transformative season for left-back Antonee Robinson. One that many simply can’t ignore.

As he walks into the media room, Robinson greets the crew with a warm smile wishing everyone a happy new year. It’s a small moment that reflects his down-to-earth demeanour, but his impact on the pitch has been anything but modest.

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His combination of speed, defensive resilience, and attacking contribution has made him one of the most consistent full-backs this season.

By his own admission, Robinson recognises the attention that his performances have gathered, although it’s not something he dwells on too much.

“It’s nice, I guess, but I try not to focus on that too much because, at the end of the day, it’s football,” Robinson said ahead of Fulham’s clash with Ipswich, live on Sky Sports this Sunday.

“I could have two poor games in a row, and people would be saying, ‘I always knew he was c**p,’ and things like that,” he tells Sky Sports, fully aware of the unpredictable nature of football.

“You never know how it’s going to go, so I just enjoy doing well, enjoy that the team’s doing really well, and that I’m contributing to that.”

Reluctant to accept too much credit for his performance, the statistics, however, do speak for themselves. No defender has provided more assists in the Premier League than Robinson. With seven assists in 19 games, he remains only behind Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in top-flight football.

For reference, last season was a strong one for the full-back, who got six assists in 37 games across all competitions. He has already surpassed that with half the season to go.

His tenacity and attention to detail are clear. Developing his game management and decision-making has been the key focus area.

“In the final third, when I’m in the positions to be putting crosses down, I’m kind of trying to slow down in my head and make sure I’m picking someone out or picking the right decision, aiming for the right place and just slowing it down a little bit in my own head,” Robinson continues to explain.

“It still probably feels fast, but it gives me that little bit of clarity of where I need to put the ball.”

Typically, a private person, Robinson provides a brief insight into the influence manager Marco Silva has had on him.

“I’ve spoken a lot about how much I feel like he’s personally helped me develop and I give him a lot of praise for that,” he smiles as he continues to add.

“But in terms of the team, we’ve kind of had our ideals, our philosophy of how we play ever since he took over in the Championship and he’s stayed true to that.”

Similarly, when asked about Robinson in his pre-match press conference, Silva spoke enthusiastically about the player he has known for almost a decade.

“I’ve known him for a long time, he was an Everton payer when I managed there and now, I get to work with him again here at Fulham.” Says Silva, as he addresses the media ahead of Sunday’s game against Ipswich.

“He’s much more mature, he’s not emotional during the game. Most of you don’t know him personally but he is very emotional, and he is a quiet person, but his game is much more balanced now and much more mature if I can say.

“Now when he has a good or not-so-good action it will not impact him so much, he takes some steps as a defender, and he is getting solid. We have been working with him and demanding of him and giving him the confidence.”

With the backing of his manager and no sign of slowing down, it comes as no surprise that the 27-year-old American is also one of the most popular picks amongst fans of Fantasy Premier League.

With 25.2 per cent of all users opting for him in their team. In fact, he is the most frequently selected Fulham player, a detail that he smiles at as hears and certainly one he’d share with his team-mates.

“That’s pretty good,” laughs Robinson, “I haven’t done fantasy for about five years now because I always set one up or used to set one up. And I’d have one week where I’d miss changing out my team and do bad and then I’m just like, I’m not going to bother now.”

Leaning back into his chair, Robinson chuckles as he shares stories of how his social media is filled with fans requesting, he should score a goal or two. Although he finds the interactions amusing at times, his instructions are clear.

“Don’t message me anything to do with FPL. It’s not going to affect my game.”

Like many other footballers, Robinson’s rise has been shaped by injury spells, loan moves and moments on the bench. It therefore comes as no surprise that despite the opening of the January transfer window, he is savouring these moments and not being drawn into speculations on his future.

“Everyone who I play with and who watches me play knows that I’m 100 per cent committed to the team. I give everything every week to try and help us get to the level where I feel like we should be and where we deserve to be. So, there’s no discrimination. It’s always just putting my whole 100 per cent effort into each game.”

Few things in football last forever, however, Fulham fans can take comfort in knowing that there are no imminent plans for his departure from the west London club. Instead, Robinson insists there are still higher levels for his side to reach.

Since Silva’s team were promoted to the top flight of English football in 2022, they have been a relatively consistent mid-table side, distancing themselves from their previous yo-yo trend.

It was that same season that saw them finish 10th in the league with 52 points, just one point behind their highest league finish in the 2009/10 season.

“The gaffer really, really makes a point of trying to try to break records, trying to make history,” says Robinson.

“Every time there’s a game where there’s an opportunity to do something we haven’t done before, he always mentions it to us.”

He only has to cast his mind back to Boxing Day, when Fulham secured their first away win at Chelsea since 1979.

“The game at Stamford Bridge is a good example of that. The speech he gave us before the game. We haven’t won there in like 45 years. We’ve managed to do it. We’ve managed to deliver on that.

“We were only a point or so shy in our first Premier League season of matching the points tally and we came 10th. And with the quality the league has had this season and where we are, how many points we’ve got, it’s a real testament because all the teams are in the middle of the pack, are right around ninth. So, we’ll take a European place if we can get it”

As Fulham prepare to extend their seven-game unbeaten run into the new year. Robinson shares the collective ambition felt by many at the club.

“No one’s going to hand us games. We’re going to have to earn every point,” he says.

“In the second half of the season, try and improve our points tally from the first half. Push up the table and hopefully an FA Cup run as well.”

In footballing terms, his youthful years may be behind him, but Robinson is on the rise and believes he has much more to offer.

“I still see my game improving and believe there’s potential to keep getting better, and I hope that’s the case,” he says.

“Obviously, I’m happy with the level I’m performing at now, but I always aim high and take whatever comes my way.”