Merlin was amazing and it is a scary thought that he might not be able to sustain it for long, after all he's 30 and not exactly a physical specimen like Ronaldo is. With that in mind, looking at the way contributes defensively, I can completely see him transitioning into a Pirlo style deep-lying-playmaker for us. Playing that position would lessen the physical toll of running back and forth the pitch. I hope we can squeeze every bit of magic inside him until the last drop and he could play at least 4-5 years more for us. But in order for that to happen we must manage him correctly and not run him to the ground.