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Danny Drinkwater injury already puts Chelsea’s squad depth to the test

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Danny Drinkwater will reportedly not be playing for Chelsea until October. With a packed schedule ahead, the Blues’ squad depth is being put to the test.

Chelsea managed to just about increase their squad depth sufficiently on transfer deadline day. The Blues signed both Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta in last-minute moves. However, the former is already injured and will be out until October. Given the number of games on Chelsea’s immediate schedule, Antonio Conte’s squad depth is already being put to the test.

According to BBC Sport, Drinkwater’s calf injury will mean a few weeks on the sidelines.

"Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has suffered a calf injury and will not make his Blues debut until October."

Despite October being just over two weeks away, Chelsea have five games to play before the turn of the month. With this Drinkwater news, Conte only has Tiemoue Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kante at his disposal.

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In all likelihood, there should be no problems and the Blues should reach the next international break without a personnel crisis. However, poor form or another injury will wreak havoc. Chelsea’s opponents in the next five games include Arsenal at home and both Stoke City and Atletico Madrid away. Conte’s men will need to be at full fitness and at the top of their game if they are to secure the results they want.

Some may claim that Drinkwater was not going to start any of these upcoming games, but that is nonsense. If the Englishman was available, Conte would certainly be looking to rotate him into the starting eleven or use him extensively off the bench.

Furthermore, Conte has used a five-man midfield in recent games. Opponents are getting used to the 3-4-3 system and thus the Blues do need to mix things up. However, that means that all three central midfield options are on the field. There is no-one Conte can look to on the bench to change the game in that area.

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Kante, Bakayoko and Fabregas will have their work cut out over the next two weeks. The pressure is on to keep up their decent starts to the campaign. Otherwise, Chelsea could be in a bit of trouble.

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