Danny Drinkwater: From Premier League title winner to Chelsea outcast – what has happened to the 35m star?

Danny Drinkwater: From Premier League title winner to Chelsea outcast – what has happened to the 35m star?
Danny Drinkwater is Chelsea’s forgotten man. A case as confusing now as it was when he joined.Arriving on deadline day in September 2017, it was the second successive summer Chelsea had splashed out on a midfielder – N’Golo Kante was first.Danny Drinkwater is not part of Maurizio Sarri’s plans at Chelsea4
Danny Drinkwater is not part of Maurizio Sarri’s plans at Chelsea
Perhaps the club and Drinkwater had visions of recreating the relationship he and the energetic Frenchman shared at Leicester City and why not? It worked well enough to win them the Premier League in 2016.But it has not exactly gone quite to plan. Kante has thrived, Drinkwater has not.When deals for Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fell through and Nemanja Matic signed for Manchester United in the 2017 summer transfer window, Chelsea sought a replacement. After applying for a two-hour extension, in came Drinkwater for 35million.The midfielder has not played in the Premier League since March4
The midfielder has not played in the Premier League since March
Eyebrows were raised and not just at the inflated price. Did Chelsea really need him when they had two talented players out on loan inRuben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah at Crystal Palace and Watford respectively?When his debut was delayed until October through injury, Drinkwater finally started for Chelsea in the League Cup against Everton.I dont think [the last few months] could have gone any worse, Drinkwater told Chelsea TV after his first appearance. I have been trying to take the positives out of it.”There was something ominous about these words and in the months that followed there was even less to be joyous about.Still not fully fit, Drinkwater declined to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squads for the international friendlies with Germany and Brazil.Drinkwater endured a frustrating start to his Chelsea career4
Drinkwater endured a frustrating start to his Chelsea career
In cameJake Livermore, Eric Dier and Jack Cork. Ironically, it was Loftus-Cheek who was man of the match against the Germans and Southgate has not called upon Drinkwater since.Fast forward a year on and Drinkwater is well and truly on the sidelines. He has started just 12 matches for Chelsea, totalling 522 minutes and has not played a competitive game since a 1-0 loss to Manchester City. That was in March.This season has been even worse under Maurizio Sarri, with a 30 minute cameo in the Community Shield his only action to date. Even in secondary competitions such as the League Cup, where Sarri normally uses his fringe players, the 28-year-old has not had a look in. He didn’t even make the Europa League squad. When he was announced on the bench for the recent win over Derby County there was genuine confusion among those inside Stamford Bridge.If it was not already clear as to where Drinkwater stood under the Italian, he was quickly reminded.“I think the situation is that Drinkwater for me is not suitable for a midfield with two other midfielders. I told him two months ago what I think,” Sarri said.While the temptation to join one of the biggest clubs in the world may have been too great to turn down, Drinkwater only need to look at former team-mate Jamie Vardy, who rejected pastures new and remains the focal point at Leicester.Drinkwater should have used the example of Jamie Vardy4
Drinkwater should have used the example of Jamie Vardy
Drinkwater previously had the courage and took the risk to leave Manchester United in order to pursue first-team chances, going on loan before finally settling at the King Power, this is a gamble that looks unlikely to pay off.A Premier League winner and a solid, combative midfielder, Drinkwater should not be spending his prime years rotting on the Chelsea bench and these days a place on that seems a bonus. January can not come quick enough.

Wellens has been out of work since June

To take a 'next play' attitude to failure, and apply what we've learned instantly. Our team shares a singular goal: to make all athletes better. Whether it's through one of our Run Clubs, apps, or Nike stores, our experts guide millions of people on their personal sport journeys.

The Hornets have given some game time to Ben Wilmot this season

United consider Eriksen and Tielemans if Pogba leaves. Manchester United have begun drawing up a list of potential replacements for Paul Pogba - despite being adamant the Frenchman will not leave this summer, writes James Robson.[BREAK]Unitedâ s manager wants to bring in two more midfielders this summer to provide the £89m man with the platform to truly realise his potential.[BREAK
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea

Ben Chilwell has impressed at left-back for Leicester and England

Andres Iniesta issues apology after controversial 'blacked up' photos on his Instagram and Twitter pages The Spain and Barcelona legend was celebrating Feliz dias de Reyes - a festive
Andres Iniesta issues apology after controversial 'blacked up

But then Hakim Ziyech equalised for Ajax

Jurgen Klopp's men ended Liverpool's seven-year wait for a trophy with a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday night. Liverpool are the champions of Europ… Liverpool parade: The best pictures and videos from memorable Champions League triumph celebrations Real News Reports-Start Your Day Here

Spurs could not muster a goal in their first Champions League final appearance
Sarri admits Chelsea are 'in a bit of trouble' after Everton

Solskjaer was unveiled as United’s permanent manager last week

Arsenal to rival Tottenham for Norwich and England starlet Max Aarons Norwich desperate to keep hold of £15million-rated defender but Spurs and Arsenal head list of clubs trying to snap up 18
Max Aarons: Arsenal rival Tottenham in race for Norwich and
hollywoodadviser.com/max-aarons-arsenal-rival-tottenham-in-race-for-norwich-and-england-starlet/
max on the way The right-back is rated at £15million by Championship promotion contenders Norwich Arsenal and Tottenham are battling to sign Norwich starlet Max Aarons, according to reports. The Mirror say the Gunners will match any move Spurs make for the teenager, who they were first linked with earlier this month.
Arsenal to rival Tottenham for Norwich and England starlet

James Tarkowski wheels away in celebration

Manchester United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost his 'golden touch', says Sam Allardyce. Allardyce believes a crisis at United is deepening with every game after six defeats in their last
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Has Lost His 'Golden Touch', - Sam Allardyce

Klopp and Liverpool reluctantly sold Coutinho to the LaLiga giants for 142m

N'Golo Kante has agreed a new five-year contract at Chelsea that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2023. The Blues confirmed the news in a statement Friday. B/R Football @brfootball BREAKING
Chelsea In Contract Talks With N'Golo Kante - 234sport

The Manchester United fans were given clappers

REUTERS: Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Manchester United, the
Rudiger season over for Chelsea as defender has successful

Gary Madine is yet to score for Cardiff following his move from Bolton in 2018

Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool by beating West Ham 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The midweek matches also saw Chelsea, who dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga following his antics during the Carabao Cup final, beat Tottenham, while Arsenal and Manchester United claimed victories.

It’s going to be hot in Madrid

How Manchester United could line up next season with potential transfer targets Jorginho and Toby Alderweireld. United will be in the market for some big signings this summer with City's advantage
How Manchester United could line up with transfer targets

City finished first in Group F so could get an easier last 16 opponent than the other Premier League teams

West Ham 3 Southampton 0 live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary and free stream for 3pm top-flight clash The match will be live on talkSPORT 2 and here's how you can tune in. West Ham vs
West Ham vs Southampton live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary

Emery admits Arsenal need to win the first leg

Manchester City vs Tottenham: Premier League title chase is OVER if club don't beat Spurs, says former defender Danny Mills Spurs could do Liverpool a huge favour if they overcome City again in
Premier League title chase is OVER if club don't beat Spurs

Post a Comment

0 Comments