“Been a shambles”- 31-year-old Chelsea loanee delivers honest verdict about his time at the club

Danny Drinkwater is trying to regain some form amidst disastrous Chelsea career

Speaking to talkSPORT (h/t The Sun), Danny Drinkwater has explained how his Chelsea career has not gone on to plan since joining the club in 2017.

The West London club signed the Englishman for £35million during the last year of Antonio Conte’s stint at Stamford Bridge. While it was expected that the 31-year-old could produce the same form he did alongside N’Golo Kante at Leicester City, his career has only gone downhill since making the move to London.

Although he featured every now and then under Conte, game-time has been rare for the midfielder after the Italian manager’s departure as it was 2018 when Drinkwater last kicked a ball in a Chelsea jersey.

Danny Drinkwater has played only 23 times for Chelsea. (imago Images)
Danny Drinkwater has played only 23 times for Chelsea. (imago Images)

The former Leicester man is now on his fourth loan spell at Reading in what could be his last chance to prove to his bosses at the London club that he is worth receiving a contract extension. 

Drinkwater spoke about the downward spiral of his career in an interview with talkSPORT (h/t The Sun), saying:

“Can I paint a picture? No. It’s been a shambles. I need to [kick-start my career]. I’m more excited about this than I have been for a few years now, especially how my career’s panned out. Games, getting the enjoyment of football back, then going from there. A few have slid away, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve not played.

“I’ve just got to keep in contact with the manager, trust each other and trust the team. Hopefully, they trust me, and we can build on that.”

Danny Drinkwater is in the final year of his contract at Chelsea. (imago Images)
Danny Drinkwater is in the final year of his contract at Chelsea. (imago Images)

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While the Englishman will be hoping to stake a claim under Tuchel, it does not look like the 31-year-old will be able to convince his German boss as he already possesses incredible talent in the midfield line in the form of Saul Niguez, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Mateo Kovacic. 

While it is not a confirmed goodbye, it remains to be seen what decision the Blues make over Drinkwater’s future next summer.