As the winter transfer window moves closer to its deadline day, many teams across Europe are trying to secure their last few additions which will benefit them during the second stage of their respective domestic leagues. Amid the fact that they are star players who can provide decent quality for the squad, or they are just back-up players or young stars which the club aim to develop in a long-term run, they are all considered as additions to what is assumed a tough second period for many teams.
Among those teams who are trying to finalise their last few deals in this window, AC Milan are one of those teams as they are searching for a new left-back to replace Ricardo Rodríguez, who is rumoured to be leaving the club, and can become a long-term choice for Rossonero when Theo Hernández returns to Real Madrid. While there are many names across Europe where they can secure for a decent price, they turn their attention towards the EFL Championship for a left-back who is playing for a relegation-battle club.
Indeed, as the rumours have circulated in the last few weeks, the Serie A club are looking at Antonee Robinson, the English-American left-back and a key player for Wigan Athletic. While this can be considered as a surprising move, there are reasons behind Milan’s decision of scouting the 22-year-old full-back. This tactical analysis scout report will provide an analysis of Antonee Robinson’s first half of the season with Wigan. Meanwhile, using statistics and footages, we will take a look at the strengths and weaknesses that he has shown across this season in Cooks tactics.
Overview and style of play
Robinson is an academy graduate from Everton’s academy as he attempted to force his way into the first team in the 2017/18 season. Still, two loans later on with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic were not enough to prove that he has the quality to play for the Merseyside-based club and Wigan quickly captured his service for a reported fee of 2.2 million Euros.
Now in his second season with The Latics, he has had a wealth of experience playing in the Championship after thriving in two seasons earlier with Bolton and Wigan. Right when he arrived at the DW Stadium, he had emerged as one of the first choices for manager Paul Cook when he picked his side to play in the Championship. Along with Reece James, who is now become a key player for Chelsea, they created a dynamic wing-back duo that stole the spotlight last season for Wigan.
As he overlaps up the pitch, the winger in front of him, Kieran Dowell, will tuck inside and open up the left flank for him to enter. With the ability of making good use of his pace, he can burst forward in seconds to receive the ball out wide and then send crosses into the box to meet the head of Joe Garner or late arrivals such as Lee Evans or Joe Williams. Still, since both wingers are playing on the same side with their preferred foot, they can drift wide on several occasions and allow Robinson and Byrne to turn inverted and move into the half-spaces, similar to the shot below.
Pace and off-the-ball movements
When mentioning Robinson, one of the first strengths that are on every Wigan fans’ lips is his outstanding pace. The young full-back boasts with good acceleration and sprint speed, which he has shown in almost every matches he played this season. Just a few seconds earlier, he is still positioning himself in the opposition’s final third and looking at the opponent creating a counter-attack. Seconds later, he already arrives in his team’s half to join the defensive situation and support the remaining defenders.
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