Chelsea’s Premier League title defence kicked off in a devastating manner as they were defeated by a 2-3 score line at their own backyard by Burnley. The Blues appeared clueless against a side which doesn’t fall in the category of the ‘English big guns’ and their loss was a timely reminder of the frailties they are yet to amend.
At this stroke of hour, Chelsea are in a dire need to make some additions to their squad before the summer transfer window shuts. Antonio Conte made some blunders already, as he sanctioned the sales of Nemanja Matic and Nathaniel Chalobah to Manchester United and Watford, respectively and has brought just one replacement in the shape of Tiemoue Bakayoko.
They now lack a trustworthy figure in the midfield and have apparently put Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater on their radar. The Foxes are believed to have received a bid of £25million from the Pensioners and as it stands, it is anticipated that Drinkwater would make a move to the Stamford Bridge this week before they face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium.
So, what are the pros and cons of the prospective deal?
At first, it has to be noted that the Manchester United’s youth product is a Premier League winner and he played an instrumental role in Leicester City’s fairytale journey during the 2015-16 season. In the 27-year-old central defensive midfielder, Chelsea would get someone who has excellent passing range and shrewd defensive nous.
He caters to not only the defensive duties but also contributes offensively as well and the astute manner in which he reads the game makes him an appealing commodity for any top quality side. Besides, he has the experience of the English top division and he can form a wonderful complementary axis with N’Golo Kante, someone he partnered with at Leicester City.
However, there are a few concerns attached to Drinkwater, with the first and foremost being the lack of creative vision which someone like Cesc Fabregas has. The English international lacks the cutting edge which is required to tear defences apart and isn’t really the world class material which Matic was for the London based outfit.
Nonetheless, Conte’s squad does need some reinforcements as it goes without saying that with merely three central midfielders, the former Italian national side’s manager would find it really troublesome to be in contention of winning silverwares in the four competitions which they are due to ply their trade in.
