I almost definitely do overvalue players who can beat a player, and you’ll know that from my boner for AdamaI’d argue the flip side — beating players is all good and that, but final third numbers are king. The step up from being a midtable winger to being a genuine option for a top 6 side requires a a lot more than being good at dribbling.
Don’t get me wrong, ASM is probably one of the best dribblers in the league, and in an ideal world I’m sure Pep/Klopp/Ole et al. would love a player like this in their side — but not at more than an option which just isn’t worth the outrageous numbers he’ll cost.
He may dribble and have pace in a way someone a lot less glamorous in his play like say, Harvey Barnes does, but the latter scores and assists at a rate ASM just doesn’t. Possibly can’t.
I didn’t realise his numbers had been quite as low as they’re before he came to England. He would need to have a season where he massively upped his productivity in the final third. He’s good at either beating the press or even a static defender, but will have to add either creating shots for himself or his team to make a jump up to a big side, especially as you said if he wanted to make the move to a top 6 side.
I think the positions he takes up don’t always lend themselves to goalscoring, and I think a small part of that is he likes to be the one running at the opposition, as opposed to running through on to the ball (in part because of some of the players he’s surrounded by).
I think he’s very talented, but I also can’t disagree with any of what you’ve said.