Ex-Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater has spoken of his delight at finally making his Chelsea debut on Wednesday night, having been made to wait for his first run-out in a Blues shirt after suffering a calf injury.
The Englishman won the Premier League title with Leicester City two seasons ago but joined now-champions Chelsea in the summer — however, his calf ailment saw him forced to watch on from the sidelines until Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup game against Everton.
The Blues came out with a 2-1 win over the Toffees at Stamford Bridge as Conte opted for rotation; Drinkwater was paired up with 17-year-old Welshman Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park, whilst Kenedy, Charly Musonda and Davide Zappacosta were also handed starts.
Speaking after the game, Drinkwater said (via the London Evening Standard):
I don’t think [the last few months] could have gone any worse,
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.
Drinkwater is a product of Manchester United’s youth academy, and joined Leicester City from the Red Devils in 2012, following loan spells with Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Watford and Barnsley.
The 27-year-old continued:
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 can now turn his attentions to what may be his first Premier League game for his new club, as Chelsea prepare to face AFC Bournemouth away from home this weekend.
