There are attributes you can build around, but there are also issues that need to be covered up when you set up the team. That's true of most players but I think what is unique about him is the strengths are his 1v1 defending and athleticism. So essentially he needs to be in a high line aggressive type team but he's then not good enough on the ball to play the way those teams usually want to play.
Fwiw I can see him and Keane being a good combo if we put together a midfield that allowed us to play a bit higher up. I'm not sure that is what Carlo wants though and we definitely do not have that midfield currently.