The problem was his injuries.
Starts the season
Plays 5-6 games
Injured and out for 3 to 6 weeks
Comes back
Needs 2-3 games to get up to speed
Players 5-6 games
Then injured again and repeat process
Useless for a 38 game league campaign.
Contrast that to someone like Ruben Neves who knocks out 33+ league games a season and it’s a world of difference.