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What next for Antonee Robinson?

After an impressive campaign on loan at Bolton Wanderers the young American international has laid a claim to force his way into the first team reckoning at Goodison Park.

Everton struggled for cover at left-back over the course of the campaign, while Robinson was earning rave reviews up the road in the Championship.

Here Adam Jones looks at whether the youngster is the long term answer at Goodison.

It‘s been well documented this season that Everton have been struggling at left back - and it won’t be a surprise to see the club targeting that position in the summer transfer window.

With Leighton Baines facing a lengthy time on the sidelines midway through the term and with Luke Garbutt not registered to the Premier League squad, the Blues needed to resort to emergency measures.

That meant Cuco Martina was given an extended period of playing time out of position in the left-back role.

However, Everton had a left-back performing brilliantly elsewhere.

Antonee Robinson was sent out on loan to Bolton Wanderers at the start of the campaign with the hope that he would gain some much-needed first team experience in the Championship.

He was one of a number of youngsters the Blues sent out on a temporary basis to clubs in that division, as it provides a brilliant stage for players to gain the attributes they need to succeed in the Premier League.

(Image: Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Robinson was certainly one of the success stories for Everton.

After spending the first five weeks on the bench at the Macron, the 20-year-old eventually found his way into the first team and went from strength to strength.

The defender became a massive part of Bolton’s push to secure survival, which they did in dramatic fashion on the last day of the Championship season.

Four assists in 34 appearances shows how effectively the youngster gets up and down the line, with his pace and ability to adapt quickly impressing Bolton supporters.

And that brilliant form earned the on-loan Everton man a call up to the USA’s most recent squad - with the youngster being handed his full debut on Monday night.

Once again, he impressed massively.

Robinson claimed an assist, created four chances, made four dribbles, completed six interceptions and made four tackles in what was a strong international debut.

Performances like that could see him have a big future with the USA and at Everton - but where does he go in the short term?

Everton still certainly have an issue at left-back. The club should have been planning for life after Baines a long time ago, but found themselves in a dreadful position this campaign.

(Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Despite his strong performances on loan, Robinson is probably not ready to challenge Baines just yet - although he may not find a better mentor than the Blues stalwart.

It could be the case that the youngster finds it better to stay at Goodison Park this campaign, learn all he can from Baines whilst picking up sporadic appearances here and there, before setting a real challenge for the first team place in the future.

He’s certainly proven he’s at least good enough to be appearing in cup matches for the Blues, if not some Premier League ties.

And, of course, the incoming Marcel Brands has already mentioned his desire to promote youth and give them a clear path to the first team - perhaps he might start with Robinson?

Or, is the defender’s short-term future best suited with another loan spell?

Perhaps Robinson has found all the experience he can in the Championship (Seamus Coleman only needed a short spell in the division, of course), but a loan to a fellow Premier League side could be an option.

A chance to pick up first team experience in the country’s top division is not one to be sniffed at, and if the opportunity comes up it will surely be one Everton need to consider.

However, as with all loan moves, caution needs to be taken - Brendan Galloway’s recent spell at West Brom is a testament to how a young Everton left-back can struggle if his temporary club isn’t compatible with him.

There is certainly a decision to be made by the club’s hierarchy here to make sure they get the best out of what is proving to be an incredibly exciting young talent.