For a long time i was led to believe that it was a post confederation cup fatigue issue.
That would be logic, since he was a starter after a great long season in Florence and then had a full summer with the NT!
His excellent first games disproved that he has the known small players in big teams syndrome. He doesnt seem to be afraid of the competition and he had no pressure anyway. (Sissoko+Marchisio were barely available in the same time and Ciro prefers him to everyone else)
He managed to prove him self and by winning a few consecutive MoMs, earn a starter's place.
He adapted to our system fairly well (initially) and if it was just a tactics issue, he would only work well under a certain formation and in a synergy with a certain player. Failing only when the conditions didnt favor him.
But he had great games with our core system and other combos (tactics+teammates) as well.
And then the flop awards started flying around and the 25mil price tag started growing the pressure around him.
And although he seemed happy with his choice of joining and eager to fit in and prove himself here, smth broke, i still cant tell whats the cause.
But smth has affected his mentality a great deal. And this had a deep impact to his performances...
This certain match was crucial, he still has a lot of pressure, our team's mentality is currently bellow zero, he hasnt been rested at all, he had no one to support him on his duties and yet!
However he performed very well, in yet another system, under the some coach (guide/motivator and instructor), fatigue and pressure as before!!
It makes no sense! And when it doent makes any logical sense, most of the times, the cause lies in the soul.
I wonder what triggered that change and if we can emulate it some more.
The trick seemed to have worked for a great variety of players (esp Diego), who seem to suffer from the same issue.
Could this be a glimpse of hope that smth (coach) is about to change?
Desperation after reaching the bottom?
Or smth entirely different?