Danny Drinkwater could join Claudio Ranieri at Sampdoria
According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX (h/t Daily Mail), out of favour Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is seeking a reunion with former manager Claudio Ranieri at Italian outfit Sampdoria.
The England international joined Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer of 2017, in a deal worth £35m. However, it has been anything but smooth sailing for the midfielder since.
Drinkwater made just 23 appearances in his first two years at Stamford Bridge. Having struggled to make an impact, he was loaned out to Burnley last summer, but the stint just lasted till January.
He was then sent out on loan to Aston Villa, but he found it difficult there as well, before a series of personal problems meant he didn’t last till the end of the season at the Villa Park.
Drinkwater featured just six times in all competitions, for Villa and Burnley combined. (h/t Transfermarkt)
With his career at a standstill, Drinkwater is now looking to join hands with his former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri in Italy. To that end, intermediaries have already been in contact with Sampdoria, to check the possibility of a transfer. (h/t Daily Mail)
It was under Ranieri that Drinkwater excelled, playing a critical role in Leicester’s shock Premier League title triumph in 2015/16. He formed a successful midfield partnership with N’Golo Kante at the King Power Stadium, but couldn’t revive it at Chelsea.
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Drinkwater still has two years left on his current contract with Chelsea. However, he has no future whatsoever at the club. Having spent heavily this summer, we need to balance the books by offloading players such as the 30-year-old.
But, it remains to be seen if Sampdoria are willing to take Drinkwater off our hands.