Vladimir, the crimson... Mage? Diver? Juggernaut?

Vladimir has a SUPER cool gameplay fantasy. A powerful mage who uses other's blood against them and to make himself stronger! Blood is effing metal! Vladimir's kit is a tad scattered though. It certainly gained more skill expression and counterplay in the mage update, but it still seems to be split between two or three different roles and I feel dedication to a single role could help better emphasize his thematics.

Vladimir is classified as a battle mage, which basically means "ap damage dealer that we can't call a mage." He currently relies on a burst and escape combo, kind of like an assassin or a diver, but he has tons of short range aoe damage and heals, like a juggernaut. He lacks the engage and target access to be a true diver though, relying heavily on summoner spells with boots of lucidity. He also does not have the sheer tankiness or sustained healing that juggernauts typically use to live through team fights. This leaves him between two fantasies, not fully living out either. Is he a slippery and bursty flash of red, or a terrifying raid boss that thrashes everyone around him?

What do you think about Vlad's current state? What is his proper role and how well do you think he is performing it? What changes would he need to better fulfill it?