He kicks it long when there is little or no alternative. Opposition teams know he will look early for our full backs so they push up on them. Their striker will then split the two CBs. I'm not sure what else he is meant to do in that situation.
If you watch him just before he kicks it long he basically holds his arms out saying "Give me a fuckin' option" and I wonder if the long kick is sometimes frustration that people arent making themselves available
I've been very critical of his arrogance and seeing that as a possible block to his progress but it's clear he has bags of potential and credit where it's due it seems to me he's knuckling down again. Long my it continue
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I don't mean to criticise him too much though, as it sounds like apart from that he had a very good game.