Exactly. To me he is another Dier. Sure he is young and promising but does he have pace/skills/dribble/passing/press-resist to be a top player. No. He is tad slow imo. To be a top CB, he lacks strengths and speed. To be a top CM, he lacks speed, skills, passing and press-resist abilities. He belongs to Drinkwater in his heyday, Eric Dier group. Might shine at lower level teams but lacks key element to be a top top player.
I rather roll dice for Zakaria next year who will have one year remain on his contract. Should be gettable for 40m next year. He is a bull. Super fast and strong. Can carry the ball forward like Bakayoko and runs like Ramires. Knows how to protect pocket space. His passing is not spectacular but his other abilities are top qualities. I can see within 2 years he goes out and become best #6 in the world barring injury. Rice? Meh..
