Why does Antonee Robinson continue to divide opinion?

Left-sided players have always been coveted in the English game. Left-backs even more so.

Who’s been our best in the 30 years I’ve supported the club? There’s not been a plethora of them. Rufus Brevett springs to mind. Carlos Bocanegra dabbled.

But if you look at the stats, and the achievements, then it has to be Antonee Robinson.

And yet, the Milton Keynes-born USMNT international continues to split the fanbase, nearly five years after his cut-price arrival from Wigan Athletic.

Impressive at both ends

On paper, Jedi continues to impress. He’s contributed to 39 clean sheets in 165 league appearances – that’s nearly a quarter of his games. That’s more impressive when you consider four of Robinson’s five seasons have been in the Premier League.

Going forward he’s arguably more impressive. This term he sits on 10 assists, the most of any defender this season, and second behind Mohamed Salah. He’s one away from his record of 11 last term – the most of any Fulham player in a single Premier League season. He’s racked up 25 overall in the league in a white shirt. It’s not a bad return, is it?

Let’s return to Salah briefly. One of the, if not the best, Premier League players of the past five years, Jedi gave him a torrid time two seasons ago in our return to the Premier League, so much so that the Egyptian stopped mid-match to ask his age.

And this year we’ve all seen the stat doing the rounds. Jedi had his number in both games.

The only league matches this season Mo Salah HASN'T registered a shot on target…

Fulham (H)
Fulham (A)#FULLIV pic.twitter.com/CElRfMVM2W

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 6, 2025

Chinks in his armour?

So, why so much criticism? it’s the eye test where Antonee falls down in the eyes of his critics.

Few will argue with Jedi’s defensive ability. He led the way in interceptions last term, with 80 – the most across Europe’s top five leagues. This season he’s on 55, second to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the Premier League. He consistently lessens the burden on Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen and helps make the left by far our strongest flank.

Fewer still will debate Jedi’s athleticism. His speed up and down the left is unlike anything we’ve seen for Fulham in any league. But, amazingly, it’s his technical ability when attacking that some call into question. Some say he looks uncomfortable on the ball. Others say his crossing is wayward, rushed, and not thought through.

I’d argue too much pressure is placed on Robinson to contribute to our creativity. We’ve struggled to create enough through the middle this term, with Emile Smith Rowe having a tough first season and Andreas Pereira blowing hot and cold.

The fact that Antonee has created as much as he has is incredible – and not something we’ll see again if and when he leaves. You’ve got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette, and if we have to see four or five misplaced crosses per assist, then surely that’s a fair trade?

Careful what you wish for

It’s inevitable that this summer will see the spotlight firmly on Robinson. He is in his prime years at 27, with three years left on a contract he signed two years ago. His stock has never been higher and he could well attract the highest fee we’ve received for a player.

But whether we achieve European football or not this season, surely we all want a summer where we build on the foundations we have, rather than having to replace our most valuable asset. And I don’t just mean value in a financial sense. I’m talking about a player who has contributed to a fifth of our goals – from left-back. A player who has no understudy in the squad, and who without, we lose our whole identity on the left.

I can’t shake the feeling we’re entering the final half-dozen games of Jedi’s tenure in SW6. But Jedi has been a force to be reckoned with in White, and I just hope that losing him doesn’t herald a return to the dark side…