Drinkwater's descent into hell: Gran, grandad and dog died, dad diagnosed with Leukaemia, and I was – Marca

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En/football/chelsea
The midfielder opened up on his five years at Chelsea
Danny Drinkwater was one of the key players that helped Leicester City take the Premier League title in 2015/16.
Like many of his teammates, the Manchester native had the season of his life, starting in 35 Premier League matches and scoring three goals alongside N’Golo Kante.
He also made his debut for England, which helped him earn a move to Chelsea for 37.9 million euros a year later. Little did Drinkwater know that the transfer would spark the downfall of his career.
Drinkwater made just 23 appearances and scored one goal during his time at Chelsea, and was sent on loan to the likes of Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading.
Now 32 and without a club, the midfielder is still waiting to sort his future. However, he recently spoke to Sky Sports and explained why things went so wrong for him at Chelsea.
“I’m relieved, because it’s clear it wasn’t a situation that was good for me or the club,” said Drinkwater.
“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.”
It all started when then Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri told him he was no longer needed with an hour remaining in the 2018 summer transfer window.
“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 [Zola]. And I was like ‘what?'”
Things got worse for Drinkwater in 2019 after a string of off-the-field tragedies.
“I was [suffering with mental health issues in 2019]. Nan passed, grandad passed, dad got diagnosed with Leukaemia, I lost my dog and was drink driving, which is just not me,” he said.
“I made a big mistake. I was also fighting for my son, which was going on constantly and takes its toll.”
Luckily for Drinkwater, he eventually got help.
“I didn’t think I was depressed, but I saw the sports psychologist and if I hadn’t, I definitely think it could’ve gone that way because I was just fighting and fighting, and it wasn’t helping anybody,” he said.
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