Leicester fan in peace.
Just wanted to give my own opinion on Drinkwater.
Firstly, the statement above and the various posts about Drinkwater ‘being carried’ in 15/16 or whatever, is false. Kante wasn’t helping Drinkwater ping 60 yard balls to our attackers, or helping him track his own runners, make his own tackles, his own passes, etc. Yes Kante is world class, but so was Danny in 15/16. Also he was far from being our ‘weakest player’ alongside Simpson. I’d rate him tied in 4th/5th with Huth, behind Vardy, Kante & Mahrez.
He also carried that form into the following season, when all our other players were awful. Drinkwater was the only one to stay consistent.
In my opinion, the current state of Drinkwater’s decline isn’t because he’s a ‘bad player and always has been’. He’s always had ability and I’ve watched your games since he joined and i’ve seen glimpses of his former self, mainly in his passing range, not much else.
An important moment in Drinkwaters career which non-Leicester fans are probably unaware of, was towards the end of the 16/17 season when he had an operation for an ongoing hip flexor injury which he’d been playing through all year. After his return from the operation, I saw a different player. My observation was clear after a few performances for Chelsea. The hard working, dynamic, physical, energetic engine was gone.
I have hope Drinkwater can mend his career, although maybe reuniting with Pearson at Watford would have been a better move. Anyway I hope we’ll be seeing Villa competing in the PL for the long term.
