Just a high quality midfielder. You get what you pay for and whilst it hasnāt always been pretty heās certainly found his groove and is producing high quality performances. What he brings to the team is amazing awareness and a desire to drive the ball forward. Heās an engine in midfield but heās so much more than just a great physical presence his technical quality elevates the team.
This team takes a big step forward when he gets a partner who really compliments him. Heās one half of a world class midfield pairing. Such a waste if we donāt buy the right player in the summer.
Absolutely the quiet hero of this entire league season campaign. Outside the opening games the only terrible month we had was January where he wasnāt there to do his thing.
If we get top 4 this season his Ā£50m price tag will look like absolute chump change and be a strong indication of why a team like ourselves should never pass up the opportunity for talent even at a cost. Honestly even if we donāt get top 4 heās still unreal and an asset going into next season.
Huge. His pressing is instrumental. When one attack breaks down heās always there to force the next one. His passing can be a little bit astray but his presence is massive for this midfield.
I like his calmness in a tight situation. Doesnāt panic, doesnāt make his decision until the last second and itās usually a good decision. Brings so much composure to our midfield.
Seems to have put his fitness problems behind him, which is great too.
It still blows my mind we had a free run at him, such a rare profile of player in todayās game. Genuinely canāt understand why other clubs didnāt challenge. I know Ā£50m is a lot but when you see how clubs waste money he genuinely felt like a sure thing to me.
50m is a lot but United for example could have used him. I suppose there arenāt loads of teams that could pay that and also have a big enough profile to bring him to their club, but like you say, youād still expect a bit more competition. Not that Iām upset about that at all haha