As per reports by talkSPORT, West Ham United have placed Chelsea midfielder, Danny Drinkwater, on their radar and are eyeing a move for him this summer. Drinkwater has grown frustrated owing to the lack of game time and he is apparently keen to make an exit from the Stamford Bridge to put his career back on track.
Drinkwater – Fact file
Drinkwater emerged through the youth ranks of Manchester United but he couldn’t break into the senior side. He was shipped out on loan to Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Watford and Barnsley and proved to be a decent player.
Eventually, in the January transfer window of 2012, he made a permanent switch to Leicester City and nailed down his place in the starting line-up. He dazzled in the 2013-14 season when the Foxes clinched the Championship silverware and also played a pivotal role under the tutelage of Claudio Ranieri to clinch the Premier League title with the club during the 2015-16 season. However, his career has stagnated after his £35million move to Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer.
Attributes
The 28-year-old is an experienced central midfielder and his distribution is arguably his strongest suit. During his time at the King Power Stadium, he formed a good partnership with N’Golo Kante but hasn’t been given the chance to do the same with the Frenchman at Stamford Bridge as Conte has often preferred Cesc Fabregas.
Moreover, his injuries have also hindered his progress this season. So far this season, he has mustered merely 5 starts in the Premier League and no wonder he is looking for an exit.
In the games he has played so far, he has managed a passing accuracy of 86% and has put in disciplined performances.
Should the Hammers sign him?
Despite being an outcast this season, there will be no dearth of admirers. Intriguingly, the English international has the potential to be the leader in that West Ham midfield.
The Hammers need a major overhaul and they need to get their midfield right. Mark Noble has been ever present, but he needs to be replaced soon and Drinkwater could be the ideal signing. If they can build a team around him, it’d be a start.
The club still need to sign better players if they are to challenge the top ten sides, so the upcoming transfer window will be important.