After reports emerged earlier this week that Chelsea are in “advanced talks” for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, it was only a matter of time until the rumour mill caught up with some juicy gossip regarding an odd man out in Chelsea's midfield. That odd man, according to the Daily Mail and the Mirror, will be Danny Drinkwater, set to be sold or loaned in order to make room for Seri. Considering the below average season Drinkwater’s just had — a fantastic strike vs. Stoke and an iconic name aside — that doesn’t really come as a surprise.
Despite joining the Blues only last summer in a much debated £30 million move from Leicester City, there had been indications of a potential departure for Drinkwater back in April already, if not earlier. Fighting several minor injuries and a niggling calf strain throughout the campaign, the former Manchester United prospect featured in just 22 games for Chelsea, accumulating 1151 minutes in the process, and scoring just a single goal with no assists. In fact, below average may be an understatement as far as his season’s concerned, especially as Chelsea weren’t exactly spoiled for options in the middle of the park.
Drinkwater moving on would make sense for all parties, provided there is a taker willing to help Chelsea recoup some of the transfer fee or at least take on his salary via a loan. With Ruben Loftus-Cheek and potentially several other loanees returning, not to mention hopefully a Seri (or similar reinforcement) signing, there is simply no place for Danny at Chelsea. That’s unfortunate as I had high expectations for Double D and would be sad to see him go. But, this is life at the top level of professional football.