What Happened to Danny Drinkwater Footballer's Career and Where Is He Now?

I still remember watching Danny Drinkwater during Leicester City’s fairytale 2016 Premier League title run—those crisp diagonal passes, the intelligent positioning, the almost telepathic connection with N'Golo Kanté. It feels like a lifetime ago. Today, when I look at his career trajectory, it’s hard not to feel a mix of sympathy and frustration. At 33, Drinkwater is without a club, a far cry from the midfield engine that once orchestrated one of football’s greatest underdog stories. So what exactly went wrong? And where is he now? Let’s unpack it.

Drinkwater’s peak was, without question, the 2015–16 season. He started 35 league matches, contributed three goals and the same number of assists, but his real impact was intangible—ball retention, tactical discipline, and that priceless ability to link defence and attack. I’ve always believed his partnership with Kanté was the secret sauce. They complemented each other perfectly. When Kanté left for Chelsea, Drinkwater’s influence waned slightly, but he still looked a solid top-flight player. Then came the £35 million move to Chelsea in 2017. Honestly, I thought it was a risky step. Not because he lacked quality, but because Chelsea’s midfield was stacked, and his style didn’t quite fit their system under Antonio Conte. He made just 12 Premier League appearances in his debut season. From there, it was a cascade of loan spells—Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasımpaşa in Turkey, and Reading. None really stuck. Off-field issues, including injuries and a well-documented incident outside a nightclub, didn’t help.

You might wonder why I’m talking about this now. Well, it’s partly because I’ve been reflecting on how quickly careers can spiral when the fit isn’t right. And funnily enough, while researching this, I came across a scheduling note from the Philippine Basketball Association. On May 21, the defending champions travel to Ynares Center in Antipolo to take on Blackwater and then battles NLEX on the 24th at the Philsports Arena. It struck me—sports, whether football or basketball, share this relentless rhythm. Miss a step, and the train leaves without you. For Drinkwater, that’s exactly what happened. After his contract with Chelsea ended in 2022, he trained with Reading before his short-term deal expired. Since then, silence. No official retirement, but no new club either. I checked his social media—mostly training snippets and throwback posts. It’s a quiet, almost anticlimactic fadeout.

In my view, his decline wasn’t just about ability. It was psychological and circumstantial. Moving to a big club like Chelsea can overwhelm players who thrive in specific systems. At Leicester, he was the heartbeat. At Chelsea, he was one of many. I’ve spoken to scouts who say his confidence never recovered after that first season at Stamford Bridge. Combine that with niggling injuries—he missed around 40 games due to various fitness issues between 2018 and 2021—and you have a perfect storm. Some players bounce back; others don’t. Sadly, Drinkwater falls into the latter category. I can’t help but think a move to a lower-pressure league earlier might have salvaged his career. Maybe the MLS or even a return to the Championship on a longer deal. Instead, he’s in limbo.

So where is Danny Drinkwater now? Based on what I’ve gathered, he’s likely keeping fit privately and weighing his options. There were whispers of interest from clubs in the United States or Australia last year, but nothing materialised. At 33, it’s not impossible for a comeback, but the window is narrowing. Personally, I hope he finds a path—whether in coaching, punditry, or a final playing chapter. His story is a cautionary tale about fit over fame, about how a single wrong turn can derail even the most promising careers. It’s also a reminder to appreciate those magical seasons, like 2015–16, because in sports, nothing is guaranteed. As I wrap this up, I’m left thinking about that PBA schedule again—teams battling it out, new stories unfolding. For Drinkwater, the pitch is quiet, but the lessons from his journey echo loudly.