I agree with much of what you say.
Except this!!
The problem with Solly isn't that he is often below par.
The problem is he is rarely massively above par.
Solid, dependable, does a job, but doesn't excite anyone.
That's the problem.
For many he is taking up the place of an exciting flair...
There probably are, but most of them also think that £15M buys you a guaranteed 10 goals/10 assists per season proven premier league starter.
It doesn't, it gets you, at best, a decent squad player.
Very unlikely we would get better in.
Solly was, is and always has been a class act.
Plenty of fans seem to think there is something lacking in him
I don't see it, he is several degrees more understated than Knocky, but to my mind has always been consistently a better player.
He has been missed.
Good to see him back.