What seems to be missed or collectively forgotten about in this thread is he was played, and played, and played whilst injured with crocked back (before the shoulder) when he shouldn't have been, and from that point on, he has essentially been ruined.
I try not to be harsh with him because of that - he was broken by bad management, but what cannot be 'forgiven' with him is the dire team-play and inability to develop the understanding of why it's beneficial for him to pass instead of shooting from miles out. I have my own theories on what's happened to him physically, but mentally, to not develop at all, that's more troublesome than anything else, that and his indifference to working back and off the ball.
What's going on with him really is anyone's guess, but it's abnormal to see someone so young switch off like he has. I hope we don't have a Deisler or Johnson on our hands in that regard, because it'd be a real shame if something deeper is going on. I don't buy the attitude thing, at all.