Antonee Robinson has no regrets about his Everton exit last summer.
With first-team opportunities limited at Goodison, the United States international left the Blues to sign for Wigan Athletic following a successful season at the DW Stadium.
However, the 23-year-old is set to move on again this summer following the Latics’ relegation to League One after a 12-points penalty for entering administration cost them their place in the Championship.
The left-back nearly joined AC Milan in January only for a heart irregularity to scupper the deal, but is now back to full fitness and has even been linked with a potential return to Everton following Leighton Baines’ retirement.
And speaking exclusively to the ECHO following Wigan’s relegation, Robinson revealed all about his Goodison exit and how Blues bosses persuaded him it was the right thing to do.
“Not one regret, no. Everton were always really honest with me,” he said. “They just said, ‘We’ve got rid of a few players but we definitely need to keep Bainesy. We can’t get rid of Jags, the captain, and lose Baines as well.
“‘It’s getting rid of so much of Everton in the changing room and he’s such a good player as well still.
“‘We’ve got him and Digne starts for us so you have to wait for two injuries to start so you’re not even making the bench at the minute so we think it’s best for you if you just leave. It’s nothing to do with you, it’s just you need to play.’
“I am really thankful they were that upfront and honest with me because it gave me the chance to go away and progress elsewhere.”
He continued: “I do think you need to be in an environment that brings you confidence. At Wigan I’ve been in a team of lads who all thought really highly of me.
“The gaffer had so much trust in me, playing me week in and week out and that built me confidence in myself that I’m a trustworthy-enough player to be starting week in, week out so I must be good enough.
“I just kicked on from there and it’s been really good for my development.
“You never know what could have happened but I’m not one to think about it, I just get on with it really.”
Reflecting on his time at Everton, Robinson is full of praise for the man who ultimately prompted his exit last summer, and also revealed Blues captain Seamus Coleman is still having an impact on his career even now after his Goodison departure.
“Bainesy was top class. Jags is a lovely lad. Seamus is one of the most inspirational,” he said. “The passion he has in training and games, it shines through above everyone.
“You can see how much it means to him, he’s full on Everton in his heart. He’s always helpful.
“He still messages me now, saying I’m doing well and to keep going and stuff. He’s a top lad.
He continued: “Gomes is an unbelievable player in training, he is definitely one of the toughest I’ve trained against, but there are loads of lads at Everton with so much ability.
“They just need to harness it and next season I think they could have a real good chance of doing well.”
Whether Everton move to re-sign Robinson remains to be seen, but the defender has been keeping a close eye on his former club’s fortunes.
And he’s backing them to have a successful next season under Carlo Ancelotti.
“It was a very mixed bag for Everton,” he said when reflecting on his former club’s campaign last year. “Now they’ve got a world class manager, we’ve got to see what happens.
“I think they just wanted the season out the way to see who features next year and to see who they need to bring in and replace.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, he’s not going to build a great team of players he’s not brought together himself. I think the lads really buy into what Carlo Ancelotti is doing.
“Hopefully next season they kick on a bit and it keeps getting better and better for them, that’s what I hope for Everton anyway.”
