I remember in the summer repeatedly asking what does he do and what does he add. Each and every time I was asked to wait and see. How long should I wait? And what is there to see?
He is now misused?
Of course the naive blame Motta so that they keep their beloved Napoletano criticism free.
In my opinion he does have limitations and we’ve obviously overpaid on him but he is also undoubtedly misused by being forced in a role that doesn’t fit him, probably in the hope of justifying his pricetag they try insisting on him playing closer to goal, therefore having more chances to score or assist as CAM than he would have by playing CDM or CM, while at the same time might be something he is asking for too, for the same reasons.
- - - Updated - - -
Nonetheless, from a more tactical point of view let’s say the main reasoning why Motta insists on him in that position is because he is efficient with his pressing in the final third, as well as being perceived to have a very good shot in him on his day, which adds again to the reasoning behind playing him closer to the opposition box.
But still, seems to lack in everything else that is required from him to be effective in that CAM role, including currently being average even at things that he previously was good at, which means something needs to change.