Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has hinted that Danny Drinkwater’s career at the club may not be over.
Drinkwater has barely featured this season and it has seemed increasingly likely that he would depart the Stamford Bridge club in the near future.
Should Sarri give Drinkwater a chance? Here is what you need to know…
- Danny Drinkwater rose to prominence with Leicester City as they won promotion, survived relegation and then won the Premier League in 2016.
- Following his brilliant performances in centre-midfielder, Drinkwater was signed by the Blues for £35m in 2017.
- The 28-year-old signed a five-year deal with the club upon arrival.
- Since then, he has made just 23 first team appearances, scoring one goal.
- He hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football this season.
Sarri was speaking to reporters ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday night when he was asked about the availability of Drinkwater.
The former Napoli boss insisted that Drinkwater is training with the first team but isn’t the type of player that would necessarily fit his system.
Sarri said: “Yes, of course. He is at the moment with us.
“As you know very well, because I told you my opinion about this player, he’s a very good player.
“But I think he is more suitable for playing with two midfielders. He is not a central midfielder, he is not a centre-right in the midfield with three players. But he’s a very good player in a 4-4-2.”
When asked if he was going to feature against Bournemouth, Sarri made his feelings very clear.
“Not at the moment, but I want to wait until the end of the market. Then I’ll try with every player.”
From Premier League hero to no show
Drinkwater’s big move to Chelsea told the world that the former Manchester United midfielder had recovered from the disappointment of being allowed to leave Old Trafford, and returned as, not only a top-class midfielder, but also a Premier League champion.
Leicester’s triumph in 2016 was nothing short of miraculous and along with N’Golo Kante – who also made the switch from the King Power Stadium to Stamford Bridge – Drinkwater personified the fight, class and effort needed to drag the Foxes across the finish line.
With no Premier League outings this term, this is horrific for a player of Drinkwater’s talents, especially as many clubs in the top flight would love to have the midfielder in their ranks.
There will only be so long he can stay in west London without playing first-team football, although he is contracted to the club until 2022, so unless he is prepared to take a pay cut elsewhere, his reputation may continue to take a hit.
The post Sarri suggests Drinkwater could still salvage his Chelsea career appeared first on Squawka News.
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