Drinkwater brimming with confidence
london — Danny Drinkwater can build on his midweek Chelsea debut when Antonio Conte’s side travel to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
Drinkwater has endured a frustrating time since joining the Stamford Bridge club in the final moments of the transfer window following a £35 million move from Leicester.
The England international has struggled with a calf problem and was finally given the all clear to make his first appearance for his new club in the midweek League Cup win against Everton.
The midfielder managed 62 minutes before being withdrawn, and while the best he can hope for is a place on the champions’ bench against the Cherries, the 27-year-old is simply relieved to have got his Chelsea career up and running at last.
It’s been good to watch the team and it has helped me to settle in as well Danny Drinkwater
“I don’t think the last few months could have gone any worse,” Drinkwater told Chelsea TV. “I have been trying to take the positives out of it. My calf feels good now but I was massively frustrated. The waiting game was killing me.
“It’s been good to watch the team and it has helped me to settle in as well. It has given me a feel for how they actually play. But the sooner I can get more involved now, the better for me.”
Drinkwater’s return to fitness comes as a boost to Chelsea manager Conte. — AFP