Drinkwater says he’s preparing for Chelsea exit

Danny Drinkwater is getting in shape in his bid to find regular first-team football, but it won’t be at Stamford Bridge.

The England international midfielder, who has two more years left on his current Chelsea deal, posted a philosophical message from pre-season training on Instagram on Monday which suggested he would be playing his football elsewhere when the new season gets under way.


“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional,” he said.

“Back at @chelseafc only for pre-season, working hard, trying to get fit and be in the best shape I can be for wherever I go next.

“As much as I would love to be settled at a club like I should be, the unknown is kinda exciting.”

Drinkwater has made only 19 appearances for the Blues since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Leicester in a £35m deal in September 2017.


The 30-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Burnley, but played only twice before being sent on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of the campaign, where he managed just four appearances.