New to forum - longtime LD observer
I have attempted to read all the posts so far, so I apologize in advance if I have repeated anyone's comments.
A couple of thoughts I haven't seen:
LD is one of the few players I've seen that can be truly called two-footed. He is not ambidextrous, but except on dead balls he appears to be able to produce the same quality with either foot. The MLS Goal of the Year was a left footed cracker. (post it when I'm allowed to do so.)
Even though the game is at a higher level in the EPL, it looks as if it is actually easier for LD. He usually attracts nearly all the attention from the opponent and suffers continuous fouling and manhandling in a league with a lot of good athletes. It must be nice for him to have time and space both on and off the ball without having to check his body parts every 3 or 4 minutes.
As has been mentioned, he's really good at combining. His greatest strength is transition. He has a knack for seeing opportunities on the break and having the pace to exploit them. This doesn't appear to be a style favored at Everton, and not something you see as much when LD plays wide.
Perhaps most importantly, LD sees the game really early. He sees what to do that instant before many players. I have really enjoyed watching him play with other players with similar speed of thought. The goal is a prime example. Baines has time to play diagonal to Cahill, but the key to the play was the Saha made an early run. LD saw this and headed into the space behind Cahill knowing that he would most likely win the header (all match long). The rest was technically challenging but tactically easy.
LD answered my biggest question about his ability to make an impact in the EPL, "Could he handle the defensive responsibilities over a full match?" In some ways I think this has been his biggest contribution. Usually he occupies so much attention from the opponent that he really can't contribute defensively. We have seen him make 70 yard runs back to help win the ball and then another 70 yard sprint to win the game, but we haven't seen him do that all game long. I have been very impressed so far. In fact I would argue that Everton gets weaker defensively down the right when he is taken out. He seems to have figured out how to say on the good side of the ball most of the time.
The last thought involves the role he plays on the pitch. Everywhere else including the national team he is the guy the team is built around. He takes dead balls, penalties and corners. He has the freedom to move around and even make exchanges with players. It has been interesting to see him play a role and do it well. I was not surprised he fit in so quickly. I thought the EPL would be a better fit because teams play quicker and movement is key. Those are a couple of LD's best qualities.
