Former England midfielder Danny Drinkwater has officially announced his retirement from professional football, citing his prolonged frustration of being “in limbo.”
Now 33 years old, Drinkwater, known for his role in helping Leicester City achieve a historic Premier League title win in 2016, made a high-profile move to Chelsea for a hefty £35 million transfer fee in 2017.
However, his time at Stamford Bridge didn’t live up to the expectations, and he left the club when his contract expired in June 2022. Since then, he has not been part of any competitive matches.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Drinkwater revealed the circumstances that led to his decision to retire, stating, “I think I’ve been in limbo for too long.”
The former Manchester United academy product expressed his desire to continue playing but lamented the lack of suitable opportunities that would motivate him to return to the field.
He explained, “I’ve been wanting to play but not getting the opportunity to play at a standard or a level where I felt valued. I’ve never been really obsessed with football, I’ve just loved it. The idea of me dropping down is fine, but it’s the idea of not playing to my worth.”
Drinkwater’s journey in professional football began at Manchester United, but his breakthrough came with Leicester City in 2012, where he played a vital role in their promotion to the Premier League. His crowning achievement with the Foxes was being part of Claudio Ranieri’s title-winning squad in 2016.
Despite his remarkable success at Leicester, he earned just three caps for the England national team and was not selected by Roy Hodgson for Euro 2016.
His move to Chelsea in 2017 saw him make 22 appearances in his debut season, but he struggled to establish himself as a regular contributor and was subsequently loaned out to various clubs, including Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish side Kasimpasa, and Reading.
Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Drinkwater described it as a mixed experience, acknowledging some “really good times” amidst the challenges he faced.
Off the pitch, Drinkwater also encountered personal issues, including a drink-driving ban, involvement in a nightclub altercation, and an incident where he headbutted his teammate Jota while on loan at Villa.
The former footballer emphasized the importance of mental health and the notion that financial success does not necessarily resolve all problems. He described a period of darkness and struggle in his life, highlighting the significance of mental well-being.
Danny Drinkwater’s retirement marks the conclusion of a career filled with highs and lows, from winning the Premier League with Leicester City to navigating the challenges of his time at Chelsea and the off-field issues he encountered along the way.
