Premier League winner Danny Drinkwater has announced his retirement from football.
The 33-year-old midfielder was one of the stars of Leicester’s shock title triumph in 2016, earning a big-money move to Chelsea the following summer.
But he did not manage to establish himself as a first-choice player at Stamford Bridge and unsuccessful loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa followed along with disciplinary problems.
He pleaded guilty to drink-driving after crashing his car in 2019, suffered an ankle injury in an incident outside a nightclub later the same year and head-butted then Villa team-mate Jota on the training ground in March 2020.
Drinkwater’s last appearances came on loan at Reading in 2021-22, following which his contract with Chelsea expired…
Mauricio Pochettino admits some of Chelsea’s younger players are struggling with the pressure of playing for the club.
The big-spending west London side have floundered in mid-table all season, with their summer overhaul of bringing in young talent from across Europe so far yet to bear fruit.
Chelsea had the chance to claim a trophy last month, but a number of missed opportunities cost them dear as they lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool after extra-time.
And Pochettino believes not all of the club’s signings have settled in as well as star man Cole Palmer, who scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season during the Monday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester on Sunday, Pochettino said…
France midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes the team should not be ashamed of their Euro 2012 exit at the hands of European champions Spain.
Les Bleus were comfortably beaten courtesy of two Xabi Alonso goals to see their challenge in Poland and Ukraine end at the quarter-final stage.
We were not ridiculous, the former Lille man told the French Football Federation s official website.
We have done the essential which was to reach the quarters.
We knew that in the game, we could win, but we couldn t quite do it.
France will begin their bid to win a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil later this year, and will once again meet Spain, who have been drawn in the same qualification group.
Cabaye believes Les Bleus will be ready to dish out so…