Leicester City Fan View: Drinkwater transfer request is a blow whatever the outcome

Leicester City’s owners would have been pleased that, following our title winning season, we generally managed to keep the side together, only losing N’Golo Kante in the summer that followed. Even now, one year further on, we’ve largely kept that squad intact. Riyad Mahrez may have handed in a transfer request but his suitors are playing hard ball with their money and so it looks unlikely he’ll leave. Nobody expected then that Danny Drinkwater would be the next to look for a move away from the Foxes.

London Calling for Drinkwater

When rumours that Chelsea were interested in Drinkwater surfaced, many of us didn’t pay them much attention. After all, the media circus and rumours are part and parcel of modern football. So few of them come to fruition too. It was a little surprising to find Drinkwater being seriously linked with the defending Champions. He was one of the players I expected to leave two summers again. That was off the back of having his best season yet and having attracted the attention of the National side. Instead he committed himself to the club. Having openly discussed how he saw himself staying for years, his sudden desire to leave is a little unexpected.

Generally a mainstay of our starting eleven, it can’t be a case of game time. His absence so far this season has been down to a so called injury. Even with the addition of Vicente Iborra, his first team spot didn’t look too threatened due to their differences. Yes, Chelsea are a big team with a European campaign, but it’s tough to see him getting as much regular game time as he currently could. Some have suggested it would help cement an England spot ahead of next year’s World Cup. Gareth Southgate isn’t that kind of manager though and being at Leicester shouldn’t jeopardise that.

Perhaps it’s the chance to reunite with Kante. The two were formidable, arguably the best midfield pairing we’ve seen at Leicester in years. True, in a team like Chelsea, Kante doesn’t get highlighted so much by those outside of the club, but he’s as loved there as he was for us. There are partnerships that Drinkwater has established for the Foxes he’d have to give up on though. It may not have been quite so prominent last year, but he and Jamie Vardy have a fantastic, unspoken understanding of one another’s game. The striker seems to be exactly where Drinkwater expects at the right minute.

Loyalty is a bonus, being professional is expected

Few Leicester fans would begrudge any of our players a big move. Providing it’s done in the right manner that is. Drinkwater’s request comes as a little bit of a blow. Compare it to the incredibly honest, professional way Mahrez has conducted himself for example. The midfielder’s enjoyed a varied six years, mostly full of good memories. He was a big part of Pearson’s side that re-secured our Premier League status and he played his own part in the Great Escape. To have his Foxes career end on a sour note would be a shame. Drinkwater could also run the risk of the move panning out like those of Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell.

It reminds me a little of the Vardy transfer that never happened last summer. Arsenal had its appeal to the striker, clearly, but upon reflection and considering if it would be the right career move, he opted to stay. Quite where Vardy fitted in there was unknown. His choice still feels like the right decision. It feels similar for Drinkwater. Whether this was a case of loyalty, or a career choice may never be known.

Can Leicester afford to lose a midfielder?

So late in the day it’s not ideal for Leicester either. The money being offered is fair, but it’s the gap it would leave. With hours on the clock for the transfer window, are we to lose him, we look short in midfield. We’re still patiently awaiting the chance to see Vicente Iborra, acquired from Sevilla, a groin injury keeping him out. It leaves us with just three central midfielders. Wilfred Ndidi, Matty James and Andy King. Given that James is still on the road to recovering his best form, it’s a concern. King is Mr Reliable, but he’s not necessarily a starting player these days for the big games.

Whether he stays or leaves, it’s likely to be an awkward week or two. If he stays, he’s likely to face a similar fate to that of Leonardo Ulloa in January. A spell in the reserves beckons and a fight to win back favour. Both from the club and fans. This also doesn’t help us should we not secure a replacement in the next few hours. If he does join Chelsea, they’re our next league opponents and it’s hard to imagine it being a happy return given the way it’s unfolded.