Soccer

Sarri says Danny Drinkwater does not suit his style at Chelsea

Midfielder arrested on suspicion of drink-driving has not featured under Italian coach

Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater does not fit into Maurizio Sarri’s set-up. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Wire
Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater does not fit into Maurizio Sarri’s set-up. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Wire
Wed Apr 10 2019 - 20:25

Maurizio Sarri told Danny Drinkwater he was surplus to requirements at Chelsea before the current season even started.

Former Leicester star Drinkwater has not featured at all in a competitive game under head coach Sarri at Chelsea this season, and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in Cheshire on April 9th.

Sarri informed Drinkwater back in August he could not fit into his tactical system and suggested he find a new club – but the England midfielder opted to remain at Stamford Bridge.

“He knows very well he has never played because in my opinion he is not suitable to my system, to my way of playing,” said Sarri. “I told him everything in August. He appreciated it, but he decided to remain, and so he knew very well the situation.

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“I spoke with him in August, when the market was still open. I said to him he should look for something different.

“In my opinion, he doesn’t play. And I said to him the reasons, my reasons. But, as I said before, he decided to stay at Chelsea.”

Asked if Drinkwater is unable to adapt to his “Sarriball” possession style, the Chelsea boss said: “No, I don’t think so. It’s my opinion. Maybe I am wrong, but it’s my opinion.

Honest

“I try [to be honest]. Of course, sometimes you have to say something different. But in 99 per cent of cases, I try to be honest.”

Chelsea’s appeal against a two-window transfer ban relating to recruitment of overseas players aged under 18 will be heard by Fifa on Thursday.

Chelsea insisted they were “astonished” by the suspension and still aim to have that embargo overturned.

Chelsea’s legal team will attend the hearing in Zurich just hours before the Stamford Bridge men face Slavia Prague in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.

And Sarri insisted he will ban any talk of that hearing before the Sinobo Stadium clash against Slavia.

Asked if he would seek updates on the appeal hearing, Sarri said: “Not before the match, for sure.

“We have a club who are very careful about everything, so I don’t want to talk about this.

“We are here for the Europa League, a very important target for us, and I want my players to think only about the Europa League.”