Had a look for him on Youtube, as I'd almost forgotten just how good he is. Came up with what must be every touch he got against Villareal in this neat video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLONzhdJPBg
The way he seems to slow down time when he's in possession & enforce his pace on the midfield is engrossing. This clip, against weaker opposition in the form of DC United on what I think was his debut, is even better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqPZQ99KgWk
Some sublime moments of quick feet, running at defenders, creating space for a shot & snooker passes to the front men (something NO-ONE else in the team offers these days). From the United & Blackburn appearances
Moyes would appear to be coaching these traits out of him. He looked nervous in possession, terrified to make a mistake & appeared lost out of position at wide left. We need him in the team, as the attacking fulcrum of a 5 man midfield alongside Landy, Felli, Rodders & Drenthe. That line-up will offer him creative freedom with more than ample protection from the midfield, & see his talent blossom rather than stifling it as we're currently seeing. I imagine
Moyes has him training monotonous defensive routines & closing space, instead of giving him the fecking ball & letting him do the thngs that very few players can, certainly things that NO-ONE else in our squad is capable of.