As I have mentioned multiple times, perhaps if Everton received proper TV coverage and better punditry - it would be more clear. NBCSN's panel here raved about what a difference he made the last few months of the season. He did all the "donkey work" - and the former players like Robbie Earle noted it. Hold-up play, running the channels, engaging (and tiring out) defenders and midfielders with his speed and all-out workrate.
Everybody knows we need more goals/better finishing, but for fuck's sake, he does everything else superbly. This surely DOES allow Richarlison and Siggy to have more room to creatively work, and made us a much stronger XI with DCL than without.
Remember that awful period when Rooney came back? How he was a liability in all other facets, but was still a good finisher? I know you noticed that.
DCL is basically the exact opposite of that.