Manchester City have recently been linked with Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson – and he’s a player Owen Hargreaves rates very highly indeed.
City have, in recent times, done away with ‘typical’ full-backs.
Last term, we saw John Stones operating at right-back and moving into midfield, with the team using a back three when in possession.
Pep Guardiola has liked deploying natural centre-halves like Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and, this season, Josko Gvardiol out wide. Kyle Walker is still playing on the right side, but tends to shift inside when a centre-back pushes into midfield, and doesn’t get forward as often as he used to.
But seemingly, City could be ready to reintroduce natural full-backs with the club said to have already made contact over a potential deal.
Any move for Antonee Robinson by Manchester City would seemingly please Owen Hargreaves, who greatly admires the USMNT international…
Owen Hargreaves lauds ‘elite’ Antonee Robinson amid Manchester City transfer links
Robinson has been fantastic for Fulham this season, making 35 appearances across all competitions.
The 26-year-old, who signed for the Cottagers from Wigan Athletic in 2020, has seen his stock really rise and as per Live Score, he is top for interceptions made in the Premier League this season (69) and also open play assists by a defender (6). He is also second for most possessions won in the defensive third (101).
He is going from strength to strength, so perhaps inevitably, a number of clubs are now taking an interest in him.
As well as City, it is thought that Chelsea and Liverpool are also keen on the £50,000-a-week star.
In the eyes of former Etihad midfielder Owen Hargreaves, Robinson is a serious talent, and someone who is definitely ready to play for a top club.
He said on Premier League Productions (as quoted by the Metro): “To get a full-back that can cover that much distance is tough. He is almost covering the whole left-hand side on his own.
“But if you can get these numbers, if you can get six assists by March, you put yourself in an elite category. He is performing at an elite level. He is always fit and always plays. I think getting assists, he will be absolutely delighted with the numbers.”
“I think he could, yeah (play for a top club), he has the capacity and capability. He is still relatively a young player. If he is adding those types of numbers in a team that isn’t the most attacking, then it makes you think he could step up one more level.”
Robinson would bring creativity for City
Robinson is certainly a real talent and it will be interesting to see if City come calling this summer, especially given Guardiola’s preference for centre-backs in recent times.
Certainly, Robinson would bring a bit more creativity to City in the wide areas.
This term, Walker has made just two assists in the Premier League, while Nathan Ake has two and Gvardiol has none.
Robinson has impressive energy, as indicated by his fantastic heat map against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and great crossing ability which Erling Haaland could really benefit from.
Hargreaves reckons he could now play for a top club, so we will see if City want to make themselves that club.
