Depends what you call 'footballer'. Distribution was one of Bridders weakest attributes. As player affectiveness goes, Kayal could well be as good as Bridders but I think it's fair to judge after another season. I certainly wouldn't say he's 'far better'. Bridders was our best and most important...
I see some are still suffering from the 'he's left us so now he's shit' syndrome. Kayal has a long way to go before he makes the impact Bridcutt did - although the early signs are he could be as good a player for us...