This notion that he doesn't affect the game from open play is ridiculous, imo.
He very much does.
getting a bit tiresome. He was constantly assisting bony with through balls when he was there. Last year they bought llorente and the whole dynamic change. It's the first season where he's actually been a lot more direct with crossing, for the rest of his career he's been creating things from all parts of the pitch ... and with the ball still rolling.
Anyway, even if that was the case, i don't understand why it would be a bad thing anyway. So what, we don't ever win free kicks or corners ever? he contributed to 23 goals last season, as long as they weren't all 23 penalties it's a bit mute. Better players around him, more quality attackers around him, he can keep improving on that 23.