Regarding dribbles, I enjoy them and thats why I really like them.
But as it was brought up again, while he rarely does his "ibracadabra" anymore, his success rate man vs man is sick. Time after time after time again he starts the attack by getting passed his man. How some people have missed that is beyond explanation. Even in last game when he was worse than ever he did it more than once.
And its not only against small players. He has even had pure fun with Barcelonas defense, rounding Pique like a pole.
For entertainment, I miss the elasticos etc.. But as far as productivity is concerned its one of the things he has really improved. Its true it opens up for counters - just look at Messi vs Lampard - but thats generally on the defense. Attackers in the final third are supposed to take chanses.
You could argue he sometimes goes for it when in possession a bit too deep, but thats not often.