The Rise and Fall of Danny Drinkwater: A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy
Once considered one of the brightest young talents in English football, Danny Drinkwater’s journey has been a roller-coaster ride. From playing in non-league football to winning Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea, his career has been a mix of highs and lows.
In this blog post, we will take a storytelling approach to explore how Danny Drinkwater experienced success, setbacks, and struggles throughout his career.
Introduction
Danny Drinkwater was born on 5th March 1990 in Manchester, England. He began his football journey in the academy of his hometown club, Manchester United. However, he struggled to break into the first team, and in 2008, he was released by the Red Devils.
After a brief spell with Huddersfield Town, Drinkwater joined League Two side, Stockport County, on loan in 2008. He impressed during his time with the club, playing 12 games, and earning his first professional contract.
The Early Years
Drinkwater’s breakthrough season came in 2009/10 when he joined League Two side, Hereford United, on loan. He played 21 games, scored two goals, and helped Hereford finish 15th in the league.
The following season, he joined League One side, Barnsley, on loan. He played 26 games, scored three goals, and helped Barnsley finish 17th in the league.
The Triumph at Leicester City
In January 2012, Danny Drinkwater joined Leicester City on loan. He played 12 games and helped the Foxes secure promotion to the Championship.
The following season, Leicester signed him permanently, and he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2014. He continued to impress in the top-flight, forming a formidable midfield partnership with N’Golo Kante.
In 2015/16, Leicester City pulled off one of the biggest shocks in football history by winning the Premier League title. Danny Drinkwater played a vital role in that triumph, playing 35 games, scoring two goals, and providing seven assists.
The Struggles at Chelsea
In 2017, Chelsea signed Danny Drinkwater for £35 million, hoping he would bring the same energy and creativity to their midfield. However, things did not work out as planned.
Drinkwater struggled to break into the team, making only 12 appearances in his debut season. He fell out of favor under new manager Maurizio Sarri, and in the summer of 2019, he was loaned out to Burnley for the season.
However, his loan spell at Burnley was disastrous. He played only two games, suffered a serious injury in a nightclub brawl, and was later sent home from training for his poor attitude.
The Fall from Grace
Since returning to Chelsea, Danny Drinkwater has struggled to resurrect his career. He was left out of the Premier League squad for the 2020/21 season, and it seems his time at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end.
In January 2021, he joined Turkish side, Kasimpasa, on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut in February and has played five games so far.
FAQs
Q1. How many Premier League titles has Danny Drinkwater won?
Danny Drinkwater has won two Premier League titles – one with Leicester City in 2016 and one with Chelsea in 2017.
Q2. What position does Danny Drinkwater play?
Danny Drinkwater is a central midfielder.
Q3. What happened to Danny Drinkwater at Burnley?
Danny Drinkwater suffered a serious injury in a nightclub brawl during his loan spell at Burnley in 2019. He also had disciplinary issues and was sent home from training for his poor attitude.
Q4. Is Danny Drinkwater still under contract at Chelsea?
Yes, Danny Drinkwater is still under contract at Chelsea. His contract expires in the summer of 2022.
Q5. How many games did Danny Drinkwater play for Kasimpasa?
As of March 2021, Danny Drinkwater has played five games for Kasimpasa.
Q6. Has Danny Drinkwater played for England?
Yes, Danny Drinkwater has played three times for the England national team.
Q7. What clubs has Danny Drinkwater played for?
Danny Drinkwater has played for Manchester United, Huddersfield Town, Stockport County, Hereford United, Barnsley, Leicester City, Chelsea, Burnley, and Kasimpasa.
Conclusion
Danny Drinkwater’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. He went from playing non-league football to winning Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea. However, his struggles at Chelsea and disastrous loan spell at Burnley have dented his reputation.
As he tries to resurrect his career at Kasimpasa, one can only hope that Danny Drinkwater can find his feet again and recapture the form that once made him a star of the English game.
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