he is in a good patch, but building a team around him as part of a two man centre mid would just be so stupid given his inconsistency shown over years and years.
no question he will have a ten game run of form every season we keep him, but he would need to demonstrate that he can do it for longer than that as I don't really believe he has in the several seasons since arriving, not to a level that we can't improve on anyway
I honestly don’t believe it would take much, literally a top level DM - which is absolutely needed anyway!
Play him in a two and vary that with him pushing up and playing off the left in a diamond like we have varied it with him this season.
His weakness is the defensive side to his game, it’s very hit and miss and it’s why he thrives more next to Kante for example with France.
You pair him with the right midfield partner and you won’t find a better deep lying playmaker.
Ultimately there is far more to be gained from keeping him and getting the best from him than there is in selling him and trying to replace his ability. In short we simply won’t sign a replacement with his level of ability.
Edit: Rio is saying the same right now, with the right players he can flourish.