Leicester City’s three biggest transfer swindles rated and explained

It was a deal that was almost immediately regretted by everyone at Chelsea, with only a smattering of appearances for the Blues that season – 23 games in fact. Antonio Conte’s departure provided brief hope for Drinkwater as he aimed to establish himself into the first-team, but unfortunately for him incoming boss Maurizio Sarri took to Drinkwater even less than Conte did, but he stayed in order to fight for his place.

After not registering a single appearance for Sarri, Drinkwater decided to try his best out on loan as he aimed to revive his career. Burnley was to be his destination, but his loan move was cut short after only playing two games in four months. In January he tried again at Aston Villa, but an abysmal showing against Manchester City saw his Premier League career come to an abrupt end.

Chelsea wanted him gone, and Drinkwater clearly wanted a new start, but clubs were just not able to afford his ludicrous wages. After a season on loan in Turkey, Drinkwater secured a loan deal playing for Reading this season. So far he has made 29 appearances for the club, six more games than he has managed in his five years at Chelsea.

Now 32, Drinkwater’s Chelsea hell can finally end in the summer as his 5-year-deal in the Capital finally runs out. He will be hoping that his Reading move will become a permanent one, if not he will once again have to search for a new club.

So, whilst his £34m fee is less than half the size of Maguire’s, the trajectory of Drinkwater’s career just highlights how much of a robbery that move was, especially when you consider the fact that, according to transfermarkt.com, his value in 2017 was only £8m. By far, this is the biggest transfer swindle that Leicester City have ever pulled off and Drinkwater’s move will comfortably remain, pound-for-pound, one of the worst transfers that the Premier League has ever seen.