As great as Riera has started playing in his own right, with his threatening runs and unexpected effort when he's been tracking back and getting stuck in; the most major positive it looks like he's brought is a contribution to the revival of Xabi Alonso.
With Riera now posing a decent threat down the left it looks like the opposing full-backs have now been finding it harder to come in and swamp the middle, in turn giving Xabi much more room to express himself and play like his did in his first 18 Months.
Thanks, Albert and thank God we never bought Gareth Barry.