Mauricio Sarri Explains Why Danny Drinkwater Hasn't Played A Single Minute Under His Management

Danny Drinkwater has yet to make a single appearance for his club since the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City back in August.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Sarri has refused to give the 28-year-old a chance in the first team since he took over in July this year, and he's opened up about why he hasn't included the former Leicester City man in his plans.

"I think for him the problem is only my football," said Sarri.via the BBC.

"He's a very good midfielder but he is suitable for a midfield two because with a three he is not really a central midfielder or suitable for centre right or centre left."

Drinkwater's future now looks uncertain after Sarri admitted that he 'doesn't know' about his situation.

"I don't know. It depends on the club, it's up to him." Sarri said. "We have a tactical problem with the midfielders. We have four midfielders [not including Drinkwater] and three of them have the same characteristics."

Chelsea signed the midfielder from Leicester City for a reported £35 million back in September 2017, but the player has struggled for first team minutes since joining.

An incident involving Eden Hazard sums up Drinkwater's time at Stamford Bridge.

The player made his first league start for Chelsea in November last year, when Antonio Conte's side recorded a 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

It was a surprise inclusion considering he is yet to make a real impact in Conte's plans since his move from Leicester, but many were impressed with his performance as he successfully kept the likes of Coutinho quiet for large spells.

Eden Hazard, on the other hand, has suggested that Drinkwater's inclusion meant that only he and Alvaro Morata would be match winners.

"We changed the system, Danny Drinkwater was on the pitch and then we were a bit more defensive. The only player around me was Alvaro Morata, so if we wanted to win we had to do something together, just me and him." Hazard told the Evening Standard.

"That's why I tried to pass my opponent [by dribbling] every time, and in the first half we did well.

"In the second half it was more complicated but we scored, so I am happy."

Should Drinkwater leave Chelsea for more first team opportunities?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Football, Danny Drinkwater, Premier League, Italy

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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