Danny Drinkwater Reflects on Chelsea Career: “I Don’t Regret Moving”

Former Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has reflected on his difficult spell at Stamford Bridge, insisting he does not regret joining the club despite admitting that he regrets how his Chelsea career ultimately unfolded.

Drinkwater joined Chelsea from Leicester City in August 2017 for a reported £35 million transfer fee, arriving at Stamford Bridge after playing a key role in Leicester’s remarkable 2015/16 Premier League title triumph alongside N’Golo Kanté. Speaking recently to The Athletic, Drinkwater explained that turning down Chelsea was never a realistic option for him.

“I don't regret moving [to Chelsea]. In hindsight, I regret how it's turned out. I think I could never turn it down.”

The move initially appeared promising. Drinkwater made his Chelsea debut in a League Cup victory over Everton and scored his only goal for the club in a 5-0 Premier League win over Stoke City in December 2017. He also played an important role during Chelsea’s 2018 FA Cup-winning campaign, starting four of the club’s seven matches in the competition.

However, his opportunities soon became increasingly limited. Drinkwater made just 23 appearances for Chelsea, scoring once, and his last competitive appearance came in the 2018 Community Shield. He subsequently spent time on loan at Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading before leaving Chelsea when his contract expired in 2022.

The midfielder previously described the period as one of the most frustrating spells of his career, admitting that he felt he had wasted some of his best years.

Drinkwater’s Chelsea story remains a fascinating example of how quickly football careers can change. He arrived as a Premier League-winning midfielder with Leicester and England experience, but struggled to establish himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Ultimately, his latest comments suggest there is no regret over taking the opportunity—only disappointment over how the Danny Drinkwater Chelsea career turned out.