Danny Drinkwater has opened up on his bizarre transfer Deadline Day experience at Chelsea after leaving the club at the end of June following five years at Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old was released by Chelsea last month, bringing a dismal spell to an end to the relief of the midfielder who arrived from Leicester City back in 2017 for £30 million.
It was a move that just didn’t work out, for any parties, which saw Drinkwater make just 23 appearances for the Blues.
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He was loaned out on four occasions by Chelsea to Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading, but none of the temporary switches worked out.
Drinkwater found it difficult on and off the pitch, which saw him pen an honest message on Instagram last month regarding his time in west London.
“For both parties was a business move gone wrong, it’s as black and white as that,” Drinkwater admitted.
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Following his departure, Drinkwater spoke for the first time to Sky Sports and reflected on his time in the capital.
"I'm relieved, because it's clear it wasn't a situation that was good for me or the club.
"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.”
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But Drinkwater did open up on his encounter back in 2018 with Maurizio Sarri, after believing he had a good pre-season with the Blues.
He was told in the final hour on Deadline Day that he was surplus to requirements and was free to find another club for the season, to which the Englishman rejected due to family reasons.
"It got to the last hour of the transfer window and (I) got pulled into the office, not expected at all," said Drinkwater.
"'Don't think you're going to be in our plans'. This is Sarri, being translated by Gianfranco. And I was like 'what?'
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"Sarri and I got on like a house on fire off the pitch. On the pitch, we were like chalk and cheese. I was like - 'why are you telling me now? An hour before the window closes? I need time'. He replied, 'No, no, we've got clubs abroad you can look at…'
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"My reaction was - 'No, I've got my young son. He is my priority'. So I decided to stay until January."
Drinkwater was on £100,000-a-week and now his big wages are off the books, Chelsea can focus on utilising the extra funds to help Thomas Tuchel bring in additions to his squad this summer.
Topics: Danny Drinkwater, Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri
Matthew Debono