Maurizio Sarri has told Danny Drinkwater he has no future at Chelsea and has advised the player to join a Championship club on loan or join a European side before the end of the month.
The title-winning midfielder joined Chelsea in a £35million deal last summer, but had a dismal season, starting only five league games.
And with Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all ahead of him in the midfield ranks, Drinkwater has been told he has no future at Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Express.
The 28-year-old was linked with moves to his former club Leicester, West Ham and Crystal Palace last week, but with the clock against all three sides, a deadline day move never materialised.
But now Drinkwater has been left in limbo at Stamford Bridge as a result of the Premier League transfer window closing early – and must now choose to either join a Championship side – most likely on loan – or move to a European side on either a temporary or permanent basis.
On Monday, France midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko also fell victim to the Sarri revolution when he joined AC Milan on a year’s loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
Chelsea, however, had to grease the wheels on the deal by agreeing to part fund the player’s salary during his initial season away – and they may have to come up with a similar arrangement for Drinkwater.