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After last week’s match between the United States Mens’ National Team (USMNT) and Paraguay, left back Antonee Robinson, on loan from Everton at Bolton Wanderers this season, took some time to talk to Royal Blue Mersey about the men’s national team, Everton, Bolton and his hopes for the future.
Regarding his time with the Stars and Stripes, Robinson was pleased.
“It’s been very good, it’s the highest standard I’ve ever played at. It’s good to get used to the players and get used to the team and hopefully I’ll be here for a while,”
Since Robinson is eligible to play for both the USMNT and England’s Three Lions, it’s great as an American fan to hear him optimistic about a long term future with the Yanks. We certainly need all the help at left back we can get.
Speaking of needing help at left back, Everton’s desire for a long term replacement for Leighton Baines is well documented. Antonee hasn’t been in contact with the Blues’ staff regarding the matter, but he does recognize the chance ahead of him.
“No, not yet, I’ll probably have to figure that out in preseason when I’m with them,” Robinson stated. “There’s definitely an opportunity there, and I’d like to the opportunity to push for their first team and I think I’ve a chance there if I can take it. “
Hopefully he can. We talk on a weekly basis here at RBM about the left back situation and our hope is that someone can emerge to take that job. I would love for it to be Robinson. At just twenty years old he has a long, long career ahead of him and hopefully that can take place down the left side of the pitch for Everton.
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In the meantime, Robinson is at Bolton on loan and he’s been an absolute mainstay for them this season. With 22 league starts and 30 appearances overall, he is gaining the sort of experience in English football that will hopefully pay dividends down the road. Robinson, for his part, offered a similar appraisal.
“I think it’s been a pretty positive experience getting 30 appearances with their first team, getting lots of games in a top league,” the 20-year old said.
In the English Championship this year Robinson has four assists on the year and completes 54% of his tackles and an extremely impressive 76% of his dribbles. He has the tools to be a quality Premier League player if he continues to develop.
I would like to thank Antonee for taking a few moments to speak with us and we wish him luck both with the USMNT and in his future with Everton football club.