Watching him in the City game they are showing live on the official site he looked much slimmer and quicker in 2015.
Yup this has been Eric's major downfall the last couple of seasons - he has bulked up way too much. Compare his frame now vs his frame in his first couple seasons and it's completely night and day. The guy was never particularly quick but now he is beyond slow in turning and acceleration. Completely unplayable as a CM in my opinion, and even as a CB he could do with slimming down and being a bit quicker.