I think these comparisons between ESR and KDB has always been incorrect. KDB is a very unique player who is basically very good or world class in every aspect of his game: physicality, speed, vision, ball striking, ball carrying, goal scoring, passing etc.Do you think ESR could do what KdB does? If he can then he surely could play the LCM position. Lots of matches we see at City they rotate both CMs a lot, like Liverpool does as well. Some matches you see Bernardo there with De Bruyne and sometimes you see Gundogan over there with one of the other two. So it would be very reasonable to have ESR, Ødegaard, Viera and Xhaka/Tielmans rotating there. But as I said it depends if ESR can revamp his game to be able to add more physic, carry the ball with speed and put that key pass ala KdB. So for being capable of that a better positioning and physical presence is key.
ESR is more of a specialist player than an all rounder. He is more towards players like Ramsey or Rosicky or Nasri who can do 2 things very well. Not saying he is stylistically like them just saying these are similarly players who have around 2 big strengths rather than being ‘complete’ players.
We just need those 2 things (ball carrying and scoring goals) to be sharpened and then complimented by some maturity in physicality and the defensive basics. It will let him become a successful player in the middle because right now he doesn’t have the basics to play there as he’s still young and learning. I disagree with Rom that he needs to be a top passer for that role, in a 433 it is ok to add a different dimension to your other attacking mid (Ødegaard and Vieira who are vision players and playmakers).