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Danny Drinkwater poised to join Turkish club Kasimpasa on loan

The former Leicester title-winner has struggled for first-team opportunities at Chelsea.

Danny Drinkwater in action for Chelsea’s Under-21s earlier this season (David Davies/PA) Expand

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Danny Drinkwater in action for Chelsea’s Under-21s earlier this season (David Davies/PA)

Danny Drinkwater in action for Chelsea’s Under-21s earlier this season (David Davies/PA)

Danny Drinkwater in action for Chelsea’s Under-21s earlier this season (David Davies/PA)

By Nick Purewal, PA

Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is close to completing a loan switch to Turkish club Kasimpasa, the PA news agency understands.

A Premier League title winner with Leicester in 2016, Drinkwater has made just 23 senior appearances for Chelsea since his £35million move in 2017.

He has not featured in the first team since the 2018 Community Shield clash against Manchester City.

Danny Drinkwater has already had loan stints at Aston Villa and Burnley during his time at Chelsea (Gareth Fuller/PA) Expand

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Danny Drinkwater has already had loan stints at Aston Villa and Burnley during his time at Chelsea (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Danny Drinkwater has already had loan stints at Aston Villa and Burnley during his time at Chelsea (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Danny Drinkwater has already had loan stints at Aston Villa and Burnley during his time at Chelsea (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The 30-year-old has been training with Chelsea’s under-23s, and was sent off in a development team match against Tottenham in December.

Drinkwater’s time at Chelsea has been punctuated by a number of off-field incidents, and he has been seeking an overseas loan move since the summer.

The three-cap England midfielder has endured testing loan stints at Burnley and Aston Villa over the last few years and will view this opportunity in Turkey as a fresh start.

Drinkwater had received interest from several Bundesliga clubs but is now close to finalising a move to Kasimpasa, who sit 13th in the Super Lig table with six wins from 17 matches.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue preparations to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s Premier League clash.

Boss Frank Lampard has hailed Fulham counterpart and ex-Chelsea team-mate Scott Parker’s managerial acumen, with the Cottagers showing a resurgence following a poor start to the season.

Fulham claimed their fifth successive Premier League draw by holding Tottenham 1-1 on Wednesday, having also drawn with champions Liverpool last month.

And Lampard believes Parker is already showing his prowess as a top manager.

“He’s diligent, has a good football brain and is very determined,” said Lampard.

Frank Lampard has hailed the work of Scott Parker, pictured, at Fulham (Tess Derry/PA) Expand

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Frank Lampard has hailed the work of Scott Parker, pictured, at Fulham (Tess Derry/PA)

Frank Lampard has hailed the work of Scott Parker, pictured, at Fulham (Tess Derry/PA)

Frank Lampard has hailed the work of Scott Parker, pictured, at Fulham (Tess Derry/PA)

“He wants to do well in everything he does, and prepares right.

“Everything as a player made me think that Scott could go on to coaching and management.

“The only doubt is do they want to.

“He showed his ideas very quickly when he got into his coaching badges and started his pathway to youth teams etcetera.

“He’s done fantastically well, he is doing fantastically well and will continue to do so.”

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