Former Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has set social media ablaze with a fiery critique of his former club following their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Drinkwater, who played for the Blues between 2017 and 2022, shared a stinging Instagram story during the match, accusing the club of mishandling a ticket request, accompanied by a circus emoji and an eye-rolling emoji. His remarks have ignited debate among Chelsea fans, as the club’s struggles continue to dominate headlines.
The Blues’ lackluster performance against the reigning Premier League champions highlighted their ongoing woes under manager Enzo Maresca. Despite taking an early lead through Noni Madueke, Chelsea quickly fell apart as Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden turned the tide for City. The loss leaves Chelsea with just one win in their last seven league matches and significantly dents their hopes of finishing in the top four.
Drinkwater, who watched the match from the City end, didn’t hold back when explaining his presence in the home section. Responding to criticism from fans, he revealed that Chelsea had failed to provide him with tickets for the game. His Instagram post, reading “For the Chelsea fan wondering why I’m in the City end…I asked the club for tickets!?!,” was a stark reminder of his troubled tenure at Stamford Bridge.
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Signed for £35 million after his Premier League-winning exploits with Leicester City, Drinkwater’s move to Chelsea is now widely regarded as one of the worst transfers in league history. He managed just 23 appearances in five years, with loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa, and Reading marking a turbulent end to his career. In October 2023, he announced his retirement, reflecting candidly on the personal struggles and professional setbacks that marred his time in West London.
Drinkwater’s frustrations with Chelsea are well-documented. His infamous off-field issues, including a 2019 drink-driving incident that earned him a 20-month ban, cast a long shadow over his career. Speaking on The High Performance Podcast last year, he described the moment as a “massive wake-up call” that prompted him to seek help for his struggles. Despite the challenges, his pinned Instagram posts suggest a lingering fondness for his time at Chelsea, featuring photos with icons like Eden Hazard, Claudio Ranieri, and N’Golo Kanté.
For Chelsea, however, the focus remains on their current crisis. Maresca’s men have seen their early-season optimism evaporate, with a single win in seven matches leaving them outside the Champions League places. As they prepare for upcoming fixtures, the spotlight will remain firmly on their ability to rediscover the form that once saw them touted as title contenders. Meanwhile, Danny Drinkwater’s latest comments serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing turbulence surrounding the club, both on and off the pitch.