Danny Drinkwater’s individual highlights for Chelsea in pre-season show forgotten man could still be an asset for Tuchel

FORGOTTEN Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater showed he still has something to offer with an impressive performance in their pre-season friendly against Bournemouth.

The 31-year-old, who won the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016, has failed to make any sort of impact at Stamford Bridge.

Drinkwater impressed in midfield for Chelsea on Monday nightHe will be hoping for more game time in the 2021-22 campaign

Since arriving in September 2017, the ex-England international has managed just 23 appearances for Chelsea.

In that time he has had three spells out on loan at Premier League sides Burnley and Aston Villa and Turkish outfit Kasimpasa.

But now he has returned to Chelsea and is hoping to make a case for a starting birth in the upcoming campaign.

And he made the perfect start to his pre-season preparations with a superb display at the Vitality Stadium.

Chelsea came from behind to win the match 2-1 in their first game since beating Manchester City 1-0 to win the Champions League for a second time.

Drinkwater showed off a brilliant range of passing to dictate the pace of the match and set the Blues off on the right foot.

However, despite his impressive performance, he faces some world class competition in the Chelsea squad.

Thomas Tuchel boasts a great depth in the middle of the park with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Mason Mount.

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Meanwhile, youngster Billy Gilmour is coming through in West London following an excellent Euro 2020 with Scotland.

And Chelsea duo Ross Barkley and Conor Gallagher are returning from their loan spells to boost the options for Tuchel.

Elsewhere up front, the Blues are looking to bring Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Halland in.

The 20-year-old is believed to be a transfer target for the European champions, with rumours suggesting the Blues will table a huge offer.

But Dortmund are thought to be holding out for a fee of £150million, a sum which could prove beyond the reach of Chelsea.

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