Good post Steff.
Nearly all our build up play came from Benny, in a triangle with Modric and Bale, Bae being the point of the triangle. further up the pitch it tended to be Ade,Bale and Modric. Benny was important, as was Ade who has not been available for months.
Once he serves his suspension and Benny is back we will be better, the glaring absentee that was involved in nearly all our play in all parts of the pitch was Modric though.
Maybe Mouthinio or Dembele dropping deep can fill this role but i think the latter holds onto the ball too long and doesn't have the vision of Modric.
Mouthino scored a great free kick and had two assists for Porto this week in the CL and looked quality.
Our full backs and also our centre halfs, well certainly Caulker and now also the ageing Gallas are very limited on the ball too, we miss King and Kaboul.