100% this. And yet our manager publicly begs him to sign a contract extension. It’s just crazy.
Fellaini would have been the perfect signing for big Sam when he was West Ham boss. Fellaini playing off of Andy Carroll would have been Allardyce’s wet dream. That’s Fellaini’s level.
Not only that, he has publicly said that if Fellaini leaves, we need another midfielder. IF Fellaini leaves. So not only does he see him primarily as a midfielder, but as one that's good enough for the level we are trying to get to, and one he needs to rely on...which is a paradox as we will never get to that level if we are relying on players like Fellaini in midfield.
The performance of our entire team noticably suffers whenever he is in midfield. We have a glass ceiling with him there, because there are basic things he just isn't capable of doing on either a good or bad day...and they are things that someone in that position needs to be able to do (for example, passing, not being 50 yards out of position for the entire game).
When he's played up top as someone to get on the end of crosses, it's different, but there is no position in a succesful team for someone to literally just get on the end of crosses and that's it. At best it's a bit part role in games where the opposition is sitting back and you're strugging to break them down.
five or six goals a year doesn't compensate for the team having to carry you in every other aspect, every time you play. Especially not when half the time you wont even stay in your position and at least give them a chance to do that. You need to be getting 30+ goals a year to justify this.
Some of the criticism I aimed at Pogba RE: positional discipline, playing as a functioning part of the team, etc. actually applies just the same to Fellaini. He's just as culpable of not doing it. He goes and stands near the corner of the area, doing absolutely feck all, leaving the team with a big gaping hole in the middle of it. He'll do it not in moments, but for an entire fecking half of football. He did it against Seville in the first half. He's done it at Stamford Bridge before. When he has clearly been picked to do a MIDFIELD job.
I really do actually hate him. Not in a personal sense, but as a footballer. He has no redeeming qualities. Sometimes a player is useless but works hard for the team. Or is selfish and lazy but has outstanding ability. Or is Darmian and you just feel sorry for them because they at least try to stick to their task, despite being the world's most useless man. Fellaini just doesn't really seem to do anything except what he wants to. He has no sense of responsibility. He'll clearly headbutt a player, leaving his team in a massive hole, and then after the game, claim he was only sent off because he is Fellaini...so you instantly know that next time he feels like headbutting someone, in a situation that will cost the entire team, he is just going to do it, because in his mind it isn't his fault when he gets sent off for it.
I would pay him money to go away.