Danny Drinkwater is unimpressed with his Chelsea tenure(Image: Getty Images)

I was so relieved to leave Chelsea - I was so angry with the way I was treated there

23 Nov 2024, 07:00 by Aaron Morris · football.london

Danny Drinkwater wasn't particularly fond of his time at Chelsea, expressing regret over wasting some of his prime footballing years with the club.

Drinkwater, now 34, began his career in the Manchester United academy and signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in 2009. However, he never made a senior appearance for United, instead spending time on loan at Huddersfield, Cardiff, Watford and Barnsley.

In 2012, the central midfielder transferred to Leicester City for an undisclosed fee and quickly established himself in the Midlands. Between 2012 and 2017, Drinkwater made 218 appearances for the Foxes, playing a key role in the 2013/14 EFL Championship-winning side and Claudio Ranieri's shock 2015/16 Premier League title win.

Like many of his team-mates from Leicester's golden era, Drinkwater was lured by the prospect of joining a larger club and moved to Chelsea for £35million in 2017, hoping to contribute to the Stamford Bridge side's success in the Premier League. However, his stint at Chelsea was less than successful, with only 23 appearances to his name - he was loaned out to Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading before his contract expired in 2022 after five years.

In a candid interview with Sky Sports following his departure, Drinkwater shared his relief at ending his association with Chelsea, criticising the club for how he was managed during his time there. He said: "I'm relieved because it's clear it wasn't a situation that was good for me or the club," reports the Mirror.

"I'm angry because of how it's gone and how I was treated - not bitter though, what ifs. It was a long time coming." Addressing whether he felt he had squandered the prime years of his career, Drinkwater admitted: "Yeah, it feels like 'what have you thrown those five years away?'.

"If you'd stayed at Leicester, if you didn't get injured and if the club treated you differently. They're all ifs. It's frustrating, 100 per cent. Don't think I'm still not burning about how it's gone. I still kick myself for it. But on the other side, am I going to keep kicking myself because I can't change it.

"Can I help myself going forward? That's why I went on loan, why I went to Aston Villa and Burnley on loan, which didn't work, and going to Turkey at the age of 30 - I never thought I'd do that. It's also the reason I dropped down to the Championship. I've been trying to do the right things. As I've tried doing them, something's gone wrong."

Drinkwater called time on his football career last October, at 33, having been off the pitch since June 2022. Reflecting on his decision at the time, he said: "I think I've been in limbo for too long," adding: "I've been wanting to play but not getting the opportunity to play at a standard or a level where I felt valued.

Drinkwater never quite settled at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)

"I've never been really obsessed with football, I've just loved it. The idea of me dropping down is fine, but it's the idea of not playing to my worth." Leicester City are set to welcome Chelsea to the King Power Stadium for the early kick-off on Saturday, as Premier League action resumes after the international break.

Chelsea, sitting in third place, aim to narrow the four-point deficit with second-placed Manchester City when they face the Foxes this afternoon. Having recorded 1-1 draws against Manchester United and Arsenal in November, the Blues now sit third in the table, some nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Their most recent triumph was a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in late October, and they've remained unbeaten in the league since the previous week's 2-1 loss at Anfield.

Leicester find themselves in a precarious position in 15th in the Premier League, winning only two out of their 11 fixtures this season. Steve Cooper will be eager for his squad to get some crucial points on the board following a streak of disappointing performances, including a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a 1-1 stalemate with Ipswich, and a hefty 3-0 loss to Manchester United in their recent encounters.

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