Police Confirm Chelsea's Danny Drinkwater Arrested for Drink-Driving

Chelsea midfield Danny Drinkwater has been charged with drink-driving, it has been confirmed by police.

Per James Morris of the Evening Standard, the England international allegedly crashed his Land Rover in Cheshire in the early hours of Monday morning. A police statement said:

"A 29-year-old from Nether Alderley has been charged with drink driving following an incident in Cheshire.

"Danny Drinkwater was arrested shortly after 12.30 a.m. on Monday, April 8 following a one-vehicle collision on Ashley Road in Mere. He has been released on unconditional bail and is set to appear at Stockport Magistrates' Court on Monday, May 13."

Drinkwater has been on the periphery of the Chelsea squad this season, with his only appearance for the team coming in the 2-0 Community Shield loss to Manchester City prior to the start of the Premier League campaign.

The high point of Drinkwater's career came in the 2015-16 season, when he was a key part of the Leicester City side that stunned the football world to win the Premier League. His midfield partnership with N'Golo Kante offered the foundations for the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez to thrive.

Drinkwater also made three appearances for England in 2016.

However, he's failed to become a regular at Chelsea since joining the club in 2017—making just 23 appearances in two years—and his career has stalled.

The midfielder's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2022, although it's difficult to see him breaking into the team any time soon under manager Maurizio Sarri.

Drinkwater wasn't named in the squad for Chelsea's 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday, and it's unlikely he will feature again this season.