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A long crossing of the desert. This is how to easily sum up the adventure of Danny Drinkwater in Chelsea. Free since July 1 after the expiration of his contract with the Blues, the English international midfielder (3 caps) joined South West London in the summer of 2017, for a transfer fee of just under of €38 million. It may seem unlikely today, but at the time, the player trained at Manchester United, where he never played with the pros, was coming out of a very good season, that of confirmation, after shining alongside of N’Golo Kanté in the midfield of the Foxes in 2015-2016, the year of the incredible title of champion of England of Leicester.
Except that not everything went as planned for Daniel Drinkwater. Now free to speak about his time at Chelsea, the Manchester native unpacked everything in an interview with Sky Sports overseas. “I’m relieved, because it’s clear that the situation was not good for me or for the club. I’m angry about the way it happened and the way I was treated – no bitterness though, about anything. It’s been a long time coming”, thus initially conceded the ex-number 6 of the Blues. The least we can say is that he had a lot on the potato.
Chelsea, a real ordeal
The warning signs weren’t really very good. Danny Drinkwater has only had 12 starts in 22 games played in all competitions for his first season in London, under the orders of Antonio Conte. It’s nothing compared to the following exercise, during which he only made a small appearance (30 minutes) during the Community Shield. The principal concerned explains why he completely disappeared from the radar at that time. “We arrived in the last hour of the transfer market (in August 2018, editor’s note) and I was pulled into the office”he recalls. “‘Don’t think you’re going to be in our plans'”explains Sarri, translated by Gianfranco Zola. “I said to him: ‘Why are you telling me now? An hour before the transfer window closes? I need time.’ He replied: ‘No, no, we have clubs abroad that you can visit…’”continued Drinkwater, who ultimately decided to stay for her young son.
In the end, Drinkwater, loaned successively to Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa then Reading while waiting to put an end to his ordeal but without ever really succeeding in relaunching his career (except in the Championship), put strong words on his Chelsea period (23 games in total, for 1 goal). “Yes, I feel like I messed up [les cinq années meilleures années de sa carrière]. » A clear statement for the man who often wonders what would have happened if he had stayed in Leicester. “These are ‘ifs’. I always blame myself. But on the other hand, […] I can’t change anything about it”he assures, however, he who admitted to having experienced significant problems with his mental health, in particular when the accusations of having an easy life and being happy not to play came against him.
After hitting rock bottom, Drinkwater wants to (finally) bounce back
“I suffered [de problèmes de santé mentale en 2019]. Nan (his aunt, editor’s note) died, grandfather died, dad was diagnosed with leukemia, I lost my dog and I drove drunk, which is not like me. I made a big mistake. I also fought for my son, which hasn’t stopped happening and has left its mark. I think when someone has too many things to juggle, it can get to you. And it hit me. […] I was lost. I didn’t think I was depressed, but I saw the sports psychologist and if I hadn’t, I definitely think it might have gone that way because I was fighting and fighting, and it didn’t was helping no one. »
With this complicated part of his life now behind him, Danny Drinkwater can look to the future. His rather satisfactory loan to Reading, in English D2 (32 games played), helps to be positive. “The last part of last season was good. A new coach arrived, and that was good. He helped me, and I felt like I was helping the team. It’s probably the first time I’ve enjoyed football in years. » Finally, the Englishman, who admitted to having a few offers circulating, completed this interview with our colleagues from Sky explaining : “There are options, it’s just a matter of decision. I like to win, so it’s hard to give up at this age. » Notice to amateurs.
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