It's time for Chelsea and Antonio Conte to Drinkwater..

As Chelsea prepare for a run of games every three to four days for the next two to three weeks, it's time for Danny Drinkwater to step in and make the position in our midfield his own. 

Danny Drinkwater's start to life at Chelsea hasn't been the best through no fault of his own at all. Having taken time at the beginning of the season to recover from injury with Leicester, he signed for Chelsea having not kicked a ball to that point this season. 

Within days of signing for Chelsea, Drinkwater was struck by injury again forcing him out of contention for a number of weeks in what could only have been a time of frustration as he looked to make an impression for his new club. 

It was only on 25th October against Everton in the Carabao Cup that he finally made his home debut for the club and Premier League debut on 25th November against Liverpool in our 1-1 draw at Anfield. Drinkwater was also unavailable for Chelsea this passed weekend in our defeat against West Ham due to illness. 

Hopefully, Drinkwater can make a recovery from illness tomorrow night and put himself in contention to start the game because we need to shake things up in that midfield area. I had called for change ahead of West Ham and it didn't happen for whatever reason but surely now, with the games coming up, we need to revert to type and play Drinkwater next to N'Golo Kante. 

Tiemoue Bakayoko needs to be taken out of the firing line at the moment and given a rest. We have to remember that not all foreign players who come to England for the first time settle down and get used to our playing style straight away. For some it takes a couple of months but for others it can take up to a season to adjust. I sincerely hope that for Bakayoko, it's just a few months. 

Some eyebrows were raised when Danny Drinkwater signed for Chelsea, maybe because he isn't the normal type or quality that some people believe we sign. For me, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game that does not receive the plaudits he should because he gets overlooked by the likes of N'Golo Kante for example. Just remember, Kante couldn't do what he does without being supported by someone next to him who does a strong job in there. 

The combination of Drinkwater and Kante provided Leicester with a base to build from in the season they won the Premier League. Both worked tirelessly in tandem in the heart of that midfield giving licence to others to go and play. They both know what it's like to play up North on a cold and wet Tuesday night, they know what it takes to win the battle and both know each others games inside out. 

Three times already this season we have been defeated to sides that will finish below us in the Premier League. That's not me speaking out of turn or being disrespectful to those teams in any way at all but is fact. We came up short in all of those games and conceded ridiculous goals along the way. 

It's time for Antonio Conte to Drinkwater.