He's playing nearly the same as last season, but Benitez has the sense not to use more than 1 proper defensive mid.
Brilliant engine on him but last season was asked to defend too much and be a second holding mid, which made him and Allan way too defense minded together as it's 2 players that just pass short (most times to James for no reason, as if they have no legs themselves ffs) and sit back. Then the person next to him was Tom "Somehow a footballer" Davies, which made him look bad, and James was injured... Tbh everyone except our back 4 and DCL last year was trash for like 3/4 of the games or so after our hot start.
To the point - Benitez has him not only recycling possession but also joining attacks as a proper box to box, and he's looking great as he can use the stamina he has. I really, really hope we can rest him here and there though, he looked shattered last season towards the end when he was our only non-injured midfielder for a while.
Hope he keeps at it. Dare I say very Gana lately...