Drinkwater on Chelsea nightmare: 'I wasted my best years'

Danny Drinkwater says he is relieved his Chelsea nightmare is finally over after admitting he wasted some of what could have been his best years as a footballer.

The 32-year-old, who was a key figure in Leicester City's title-winning side during the 2015/16 season, moved to Chelsea in 2017 for £35m, signing a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

However, the move did not work out for Drinkwater, who was left on the sidelines for much of his time at Chelsea and saw his career stall, making just 23 appearances for the club, scoring just a single goal.

Those difficulties are now over for Drinkwater, who was released by Chelsea this summer, and speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, the former England international is just pleased he can now look forward as he looks to get his career back on track.

"I'm relieved, because it's clear it wasn't a situation that was good for me or the club," Drinkwater replied, when asked about his Chelsea exit.

"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."

Drinkwater's tumultuous time at Stamford Bridge was perhaps best typified by an exchange with then Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri at the 11th hour of the 2018 summer transfer window.

Speaking through an acting translator, and assistant manager, Gianfranco Zola, Sarri somewhat unceremoniously told the midfielder he did not form part of his plans, leaving Drinkwater with an hour to find a new club.

"It got to the last hour of the transfer window and [I] got pulled into the office, not expected at all," Drinkwater explains. "'Don't think you're going to be in our plans'. This is Sarri, being translated by Gianfranco. And I was like 'what?'

"Sarri and I got on like a house