Same last year, to an even greater extent. We were terrible without him to start than season, and his return after Sassuolo coincided with the beginning of our winning run.
This season we have more match-winners in the side to disguise our poor form, but watching him against Samp and now today, you can see he is the most important player on the pitch for making us actually play well.
Not in that manner but in nit picking. Everyone is agreeing that the team is not functioning properly but once I mention it, you have to say that I am the old Cronios.
Love him, very smart and organizing midfielder, but no, he used to play with 3 better midfielders (miss our diamond midfield of then CL games, used to complain it was too uncreative lol...).