Ronaldo changed everything. Some only look at paper and stats, so they don't realize the actual reality. Ronaldo when he arrived changed the whole team dynamic, which isn't necessary bad, if you have the team and funds to support it. And when he left, he changed the whole team dynamic again. It wasn't just losing a WC striker without replacement, the whole team bended for him. So without him, others needed to step up and come out of their comfort zone. Become leaders. But those others (excluding Chiesa and Cuadrado) just aren't good enough. Dybala as the "center of the project" scored or assisted in 16 games this season, out of 46. So with Ronaldo gone, Chiesa hurt for more than half a season, there was no one to carry us up front.