The thing that has stopped him being regarded as a great is goals and assists it’s as simple as that. I have to say that was always my gripe with him. Yes he can look incredibly impressive when he glides pass 2 or 3. But ultimately if that doesn’t lead to an end product essentially he is flattering to deceive. It all depends what you expect from your creative CM. Obviously his runs invariably open up space for others so shouldn’t be dismissed. But ultimately I find him frustrating because he is so close to being very special.