Chelsea parched for fourth midfielder, turn to Danny Drinkwater — report

On the day that Chelsea sold one of the best midfielders to ever grace Stamford Bridge, the club’s pursuit of a fourth midfielder for next season, to complete the set alongside N’Golo Kanté, Tiemoué Bakayoko, and Cesc Fàbregas has plunged to new depths. Alas, even this well has runeth dry before the Blues could even take a sip of its life-giving and win-enabling contents (as we know, all wins and losses begin in midfield).

Suggestions of very poor sourcing aside — the “award-winning” ITK @indykaila tweeted about the Drinkwater rumor earlier in the day as well — the idea of Chelsea reuniting Leicester City’s title-winning midfield from two years ago sent the Internet into hysterics, either from laughter or from anger, depending on allegiances.

Fortunately, Sky’s report immediately debunked this possibility. Drinkwater signed a new four-year contract last summer with Leicester; he’s not going anywhere.

Where does that leave Chelsea and the increasingly desperate search for a fourth midfielder? Unless you’re a massive Drinkwater fan, in the same place as before. Chelsea and Conte know added depth is needed. Having replaced Matić one-for-one with Bakayoko, now the club needs a new addition. Renato Sanches, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and perhaps even Ross Barkley are on Chelsea’s list.

The search for the elusive fourth midfielder goes on.