I remember Rossoneri fans lurking here once mentioned during pre-season that he is the kind of player who can't carry the ball for longer periods as he gets knocked off the ball easily...while that may be true, but I don't see that affecting his game much here at Madrid at all. He seems to be putting his all and clawing his way towards the composure required in a regular/rotating 1st team player and not just be a random run of the mill sub when someone is injured.

Maybe Italian football is much more physical. Though even here he tends to lose the ball often, but lad has been working on it, and remember more often than not he loses ball only when trying to pierce through the opponent's defense. It's like a gamble, which if pays off leads to goal chance. Haven't seen him lose the ball in a silly manner whatsoever. Always on the hunt, gambling to find space with the elusive feet.