Transfer gossip: Star link Schalke with Drinkwater

A look at the stories involving Chelsea in Wednesday’s newspapers…

There continues to be speculation over the future of Danny Drinkwater.

The midfielder has failed to establish himself as a first-team player at Chelsea since arriving from Leicester last year and was linked with a number of clubs – including Leicester – prior to the English transfer window closing.

The Daily Star say Chelsea are willing to let him leave before the end of the month and that German club Schalke could be interested.

The transfer window remains open in other parts of Europe until 31 August and Premier League players can therefore still be sold or loaned to clubs on the Continent until then.

Schalke recently expressed an interest in Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was reluctant to move, but they have since insisted he is not one of their targets.

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has abandoned some of the rules imposed by his predecessor Antonio Conte.

The Telegraph reports that Sarri has relaxed rules on nutrition and ended the practice of the squad staying together at the Chelsea Harbour hotel on nights before they have an evening game at Stamford Bridge the following day.