According to a recent report by The Daily Mail, Newcastle United are facing fierce competition in pursuit of Wigan Athletic full-back Antonee Robinson this summer. The same source has also revealed that the Magpies will have to battle it out with Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion in the race to land the Latics defender, who has a £1.9m release clause.
Robinson’s Challenging Season In English Football
The Milton Keynes-born talent endured a difficult season at the DW Stadium after he failed to help his side avoid relegation from the EFL Championship. He registered one goal and one assist in 39 appearances for the Greater Manchester outfit last season in all competitions which highlight his lack of productivity going forward.
However, Robinson deserves a lot of credit for his defensive contributions based on his average of 2.2 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, 3.0 clearances and 2.1 dribbles per game in the Championship. He has been a bit sloppy when distributing the ball as evidenced by his pass success rate of 68.9% in league football (stats via whoscored).
The 23-year-old has secured seven senior caps for the United States men’s national soccer team but is still waiting to open his goal-scoring account for his homeland. Maybe a summer switch to the Premier League could offer him a platform to shine at the highest level so that he can become a top player for both his club and country in the years to come.
What Will The Latics Defender Add To Steve Bruce’s Team?
Robinson can use his electric pace to make some darting runs with the ball down the left flank. He has proven himself to be a capable defender at the back as he has the tenacity to pull off a few crucial interceptions and last-ditch clearances for his side. The United States international is also not shy of working his socks off for the benefit of his teammates and can even make some important recovering runs inside his half.
Is Robinson The Right Fit For The Magpies?
A left-back of Robinson’s skillset will undeniably be a welcome addition to Steve Bruce’s team ahead of the new season. He will not only add more pace and stability to Newcastle’s defensive department but also improve the overall depth of their squad at St. James’ Park. Plus, the Wigan defender will offer some much-needed competition for the likes of Paul Dummett and Javier Manquillo in the race to secure a regular left-back berth at Tyneside in the upcoming campaign.
At 23, Robinson is about to embark upon the prime stage of his playing career which the Magpies could look to benefit from in the coming seasons. However, the jury is still out on whether he can cope with the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football. All in all, Robinson will be a decent fit for Bruce’s side as long as he gets enough time to settle into life in the English top-flight.
