AS the Premier League reaches what could be considered an anti-climax, with Liverpool already well into their title-winning celebrations and a particularly feeble trio of promoted sides forlornly preparing for a return to the second-tier, there does remain a scrap for a potential plethora of European places, with a smorgasbord of sides aiming for a place in one continental competition or another next season.

While the Champions League fight looks to be between Newcastle, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, the battle for Europa League berths sees the rather less-celebrated trio of Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth all eyeing a Euro-adventure in 2025.

If Fulham do make the cut, they will owe a debt of gratitude to left-back, Antonee Robinson. The swashbuckling American has been a stand-out performer in the top-flight overall this season, racking up a hugely impressive 10 assists in the competition, a figure currently bettered by only two other players, neither of whom are defenders.

Doing his damnedest to yank the west Londoners up the table, Robinson’s creative heroics also see him showing well in terms of defender assists in a single Premier League season.

Interestingly, despite Robinson’s eagerness to set up goals for his teammates, he is yet to score in the Premier League this season at all. Indeed, the Milton Keynes born US international is close to equalling fellow attacking left-back Andy Robertson’s no doubt unwanted record of 11 assists in a Premier League without managing a single goal.

His goal-drought not only spans just one Premier League season, but all of Robinson’s time in the competition, with only three players, Wimbledon left-back, Alan Kimble, and West Ham defender, Vladimír Coufal, the only two players in the history of the competition to register more assists without a single goal to their name.

Former Wigan defender Robinson’s energetic wing wandering has been a feature of Fulham’s play this season, with their star man overlapping the player in front of him, usually Alex Iwobi, more than any other player in the top division, both in terms of targeted overlaps, where a teammate attempts a pass to the onrushing player and overall overlapping runs into the final third of the pith.

Robinson isn’t the only full-back to make his mark in the Premier League this season, with Milos Kerkez (2 goals, 5 assists) turning heads at Bournemouth, Daniel Muñoz (4 goals, 4 assists), a Duracell bunny on Crystal Palaces’ right-flank and Wolves’ Aït-Nouri 4 goals, 7 assists) a key component in their resurgence in the last few months.

Bucking the new-fangled trend of inverted full-backery, Robinson has no desire to vacate his beloved left touchline, instead ably patrolling his flank with flair and energy.

Indeed, all of his assists this season have originated from either the left wing or the left side of the box.

Robinson loves to gambol down the line with the ball at his feet, and this penchant for running with the ball has been very productive for the Cottages, with a division-high 15 of his carries culminating in a goal-scoring chance for a team-mate, three more than any other player. No doubt the extra ‘e’ in his name stands for energy.

With a busy transfer window on the horizon, the likes of Robinson will no doubt be a target for a number of clubs both in England and further afield. At 27 years of age, he is entering his peak years and whether with Fulham, or elsewhere, the American is sure to continue to thrive for many seasons to come. But let’s hope he nabs a goal of his own before too long!

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