Putting aside how much he would cost in a year or whatever, and just talking about the boy as a player.
The lad has a lot of good attributes. He reads the game well, he can intercept well and sense danger. He's good on the ball technically too and has a good forward pass in him from what I saw last season. Not only can he play simple passes at DM or CM and keep the ball moving, but he can play between the lines too.
I don't know if he will fulfil his potential or not, but he looks a really good player in the making to me. He's already performing well but at age 20 he could go up a level or two and be an elite DM.
I think he looks like he can be better than Rice. He's definitely already better than Phillips I would say. I think he's a bigger prospect too than the more hyped Mainoo.
But maybe I am getting carried away, as he still has to perform long-term in the PL.