Chelsea outcast issues apology to fans after leaving club on free transfer

Having failed to secure a regular role at Chelsea, Drinkwater has spent time out on loan at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish side Kasimpasa and, most recently, at Reading in the Championship.

Drinkwater, who was even demoted to Chelsea’s Under-23s last season, will now leave the club at the end of June when his contract expires.

The midfielder citied injuries and his off-field behaviour, which included a ban for drink-driving and a nightclub fight in 2019, for his failure at Chelsea but also suggests he was treated poorly during his time at Stamford Bridge.

‘My time at Chelsea has come to an end… actually feels really strange writing this. Me, the club and fans are hugely disappointed with the outcome there is no doubt about that,’ Drinkwater wrote on Instagram.

‘Injuries, how I have been treated, mistakes I have made, issues of the pitch, lack of game time… the list of excuses could be endless but I would not and can not change what’s happened.

‘I’m going to look at positives over the past five years, I have played with great players, coached by awesome managers, worked with some brilliant staff, met some fantastic people, lived in some beautiful places, travelled the world and won some more silverware.

‘Football’s a fantastic sport but this for both parties was a business move gone wrong, it’s as black and white as that.

‘To the Chelsea fans I apologise for how this has turned out I would of loved for you to see me at my best in that shirt doing what I love. All the best x.’

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