I recall Dalman suggesting a significant lack of preparation going into premier league season which pre-empted January window desperation and being an easy target for agents/selling clubs. Following summer had a transfer strategy but it was a bad one which has made Bacuna and every other individual look worse since.

Bacuna is a very useful squad player, and he did really well in a midfield three when Sanderson was still being trusted as RB, but isn't regular first choice in most of the formations we use and hasn't justified being one of the rumoured higher earners.

(He is also a player who travels further than most during international windows so some mitigation for recent performances).