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Drinkwater opens up on Chelsea struggles
Danny Drinkwater admits he feels like he has wasted the past five years of his career, after finally departing Chelsea.
The ex-Leicester midfielder signed for the Blues in 2017, but went on to make just 23 appearances following the £35million move.
He has spent time on loan at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish outfit Kasimpasa and Reading, failing to find the form that helped the Foxes to the Premier League title in 2015-16.
Now Drinkwater, 32, has revealed his relief at leaving Stamford Bridge, and his regrets.
“I’m relieved, because it’s clear it wasn’t a situation that was good for me or the club,” Drinkwater said.
“I’m angry because of how it’s gone and how I was treated — not bitter though.
“It feels like ‘what, have you thrown those five years away?’
“If you’d stayed at Leicester, if you didn’t get injured and if the club treated you differently. They’re all ifs. It’s frustrating, 100%.
“Don’t think I’m still not burning about how it’s gone. I still kick myself for it. But on the other side, am I going to keep kicking myself, because I can’t change it?”
And the Manchester United academy product also spoke about his struggles with mental health midway through his time at Chelsea.
He added: “I was [suffering with mental health issues in 2019]. Nan passed, grandad passed, dad got diagnosed with Leukaemia, I lost my dog and was drink driving, which is just not me. I made a big mistake. I was also fighting for my son, which was going on constantly and takes its toll.
“I think when someone has too much to juggle, it can hit you. And it did hit me. And I was like ‘wow, is this what it’s come to?’ And I was lost.”
Green and White reality
Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels feels his side’s performances at Women’s Euro 2022 need to be assessed realistically after a 4-1 defeat to Norway.
The Green and White Army only turned professional in January and were comfortably beaten by the two-time European champions.
While Shiels, 66, felt the final score was harsh, he reiterated the need for realism.
He said: “The scoreline was hard to take.
“I thought we deserved better than that but we are three years into this programme and it will take 10 years to take us into the top 20 in Europe.
“If we can continue to progress then we can do it a bit quicker. We have to get real and understand this is an emerging game in Northern Ireland.
“We have created a monster because we have grown too quickly and are playing against teams of this ilk. It is tough.”
Blatter and Platini cleared of fraud
Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini have both been cleared of fraud following a trial in Switzerland.
The trial focused on a £1.6m payment made by Blatter to Platini in 2011.
Both men proclaimed their innocence throughout the trial, arguing that it was a late payment for advisory work Platini had done previously.
Following the verdict, Platini, 67, said: “Justice has finally been done after seven years of lies and manipulation.
“The truth has come to light during this trial and I deeply thank the judges of the tribunal for the independence of their decision.
“I kept saying it — my fight is a fight against injustice.
“In this case, there are culprits who did not appear during this trial. Let them count on me, we will meet again because I will not give up and I will go all the way in my quest for truth.”
