I think if he had a genuinely good striker playing alongside him he'd have to compete more for goals, as well as have better options ('Better'? He'd finally have options!) for assists, and his game (and mind) would sharpen up accordingly. When he gets the ball now there's nearly always the feeling he's looked up, seen who else is around and then concluded he might as well put his head back down and try to do it all himself. He's like the director of a play who realises the cast is crap and starts taking over all the roles himself.