Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has reiterated that Danny Drinkwater has no future with the club and is surprised why the midfielder has stayed put for the season. The England international has failed to make a single competitive appearance under Sarri this term, and it appears unlikely to change with Sarri stressing that the midfielder does not fit into his plans.

Speaking in a press conference, Sarri said that Drinkwater was urged to part ways with the club as early as August and he is probably unsure why he has remained for the season, he said: "I spoke with him in August when the market was open. I said to him to look for something different because in my opinion he doesn't play. I said to him the reasons, my reasons, but he decided to stay.

"I have a very good relationship with him because in my opinion he is a good boy, a good player but he is not suitable for me. He knows very well [why] -- he has never played because in my opinion he is not suited to my system and my way of playing. I told him everything in August, he appreciated but decided to remain and so he knew very well the situation."

“Chelsea are currently occupying the fourth position on the table after 33 games into the campaign“ but their Champions League spot is far from assured with Arsenal just three points behind them with the game in hand and better goal difference. They are scheduled to face Liverpool on the road for the weekend and the match “promises a difficult test“, given Jurgen Klopp’s side have been exceptional on their home patch this term.

Sarri’s team faced Sparta Prague on the road during the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final stage on Thursday night where they managed to scrape through a 1-0 win. Marco Alonso scored the sole goal in the 85th minute of the game.