What’s going on with Antonee Robinson?

It's been a tough campaign for our former POTS.

Image obtained from IMAGO.

Antonee Robinson had established himself as one of the finest left-backs in the Premier League — and arguably in Europe – heading into this season.

The United States international was named Fulham’s Player of the Season for 2023/24 after registering six assists in 37 league appearances, then raised the bar again by setting up 10 goals in one fewer game the following campaign.

A relentless presence down the left, he stretched play and delivered a constant stream of dangerous balls into the box. Defensively, his pace and reading of the game allowed him to recover quickly and rack up interceptions, while regularly keeping the league’s best right-wingers quiet.

But this season has been a struggle. With 15 league appearances and no goal involvements, Robinson has yet to reach those previous heights, appearing to have lost a yard going forward while looking more vulnerable defensively.

So what has gone wrong for the 28 year old?

The injury

The downturn in Antonee Robinson’s form can be traced largely to a knee problem that required surgery last summer.

The issue started in October 2024 when Jedi suffered a dead leg on the top of his knee while on international duty with the USMNT. It wasn’t noted at the time, but the knock caused the tendon to “slightly split” and the “bleed led to calcification,” as the full-back described a year later.

Robinson developed tendinopathy in the knee but played through the pain from November 2025 until the end of the 2024/25 campaign with Fulham.

Doctors confirmed the injury wouldn’t completely heal without surgery, so just days after the season ended, Robinson underwent a procedure to “scrape out the calcification and kind of clean the area out,” he said. Fulham confirmed the surgery was a success on 28 May 2025.

After missing the first matchday squad of this season, Robinson went on to feature for a combined 61 minutes from the bench over the next six Premier League games, playing a full 90 minutes in the League Cup during that time as he built his fitness back up.

But after suffering a setback with the same knee, Robinson would miss the next two months and eight league games.

Finally making his return against Burnley in December, the former Wigan defender went on to start the next 10 matches, playing the full 90 minutes in seven of them.

He then missed the next four — an unused substitute in three and sidelined by a minor knock in the other — but has since started the last three league games.

But the sharpness that once defined his game has yet to fully return. Given the surgery, time spent sidelined and the challenge of rebuilding match fitness, that drop-off is perhaps no surprise.

The Sess factor

Fan favourite Ryan Sessegnon, in his second season at Craven Cottage since rejoining the club in 2024, has deputised admirably at left-back this term whenever Robinson has been unavailable, featuring 28 times so far across all competitions.

The academy graduate has proved a valuable asset for Marco Silva, allowing Robinson’s minutes to be carefully managed.

The 25-year-old has even notched five goal contributions, providing energy and impetus to the side. At the moment, there’s a case to be made that Fulham are a better side with Sessegnon in it.

When Sess replaced Robinson after an hour in their recent home game against Burnley, Fulham were trailing. But the substitute’s attacking threat down the left, something that had been lacking from his teammate, contributed to a 2-1 comeback.

Given the level of Ryan Sessegnon’s performances this season, the competition for the left-back spot could yet elevate both players over the remainder of the campaign.

It may even have longer-term benefits next season should he sign a new deal at his boyhood club – with his current contract set to expire this summer.

A blessing in disguise?

It should not be understated just how high Robinson’s level was before injury. With few high-quality, out-and-out left-backs available in the market, it was no surprise that bigger clubs were circling the Fulham man.

While his reduced availability and dip in form have not helped Fulham, it may increase the likelihood of him staying at Craven Cottage by potentially deterring other clubs. As he continues to rebuild fitness for the rest of this season and over the 2026 World Cup, there remains a strong chance he can return to his previous level next campaign.

That said, Manchester United are reportedly monitoring him as a potential option this summer. If a move is to materialise, then — with Robinson turning 29 in August — this may represent Fulham’s best opportunity to command a decent fee.

Signed for just £2m in 2020 and under contract until 2028, he remains a valuable asset.