I know it isn't +2 str and +2 dex, that would with the other ASI be broken, I knew you can chose but that is still better than a normal ASI probably.
I mean +1str and +1dex will give him the martial role but doesn't give a choice, making it little bit more 5e and still little weaker because you can't go full martial. With +1str and dex you can still use it for everything you want.
And there are enough players (like me since a short while) who play certain races mostly for fluff. I played a tiefling (no variant) monk and I played a dragonborn druid.