Danny Drinkwater has confirmed on Thursday that he’ll be leaving Chelsea this summer.
The 32-year-old midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season, so it’s no great surprise to hear an announcement of his imminent departure.
His £35million signing from Leicester City back in 2017 promised so much at the time, but many consider him as one of the club’s most underwhelming transfers ever.
The three-time capped England international hasn’t really looked like a Chelsea player at any stage and has spent time away from the club on four different loans, including this campaign at Reading.
Nobody can take the Premier League title medal away from him that he won at Leicester, though. He did win the FA Cup for Chelsea back in 2018, too.
Drinkwater leaving Chelsea
Drinkwater has announced his Blues exit this summer with a heartfelt message on Instagram.
He’s given an honest assessment of how his Chelsea career has played out, something which is actually quite refreshing to read.
Mason Mount, along with some other Chelsea players past and present, have reacted to Drinkwater’s post.
“What a guy,” Mount wrote.
Life beyond Chelsea
In fairness, Drinkwater can still offer a lot to sides in the Championship.
The central midfielder made 34 appearances across all competitions this term during his season-long loan at Reading, so it’ll be interesting to see who tries to sign him now he’s becoming a free agent.
Local media in Reading hailed Drinkwater for a display earlier in the campaign, and there were signs of a revival in his game during the past nine months.
Unfortunately, he was just unable to make that jump when leaving Leicester in a big transfer to Stamford Bridge.
It’s a tall order for any midfielder on Chelsea’s books right now that want to get into the line-up ahead of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante or Jorginho.
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