He isn't the automatic next choice for that role you seem to think he is, regardless of how he might differ from Xavi. Like I have mentioned a gazillion times, Thiago probably is. He made just as many appearances as Cesc did roughly, only he wasn't played as a second striker. And as you concur, in all likelihood, Tito is not going to change that.

You say he will bide his time but I don't know how you can be that confident, he has already spoken out on radio of his displeasure and he has only had a 'rough time' of it for about six months!

It's clear to me, he made a career decision based on emotion and that always carries a danger when it involves going to another team.