The Manchester-born midfielder heads back to the North-West to link up with Sean Dyche’s side, who fought against relegation to preserve their Premier League status last term.

An England international who came through the ranks at Manchester United, Drinkwater became a Chelsea player on transfer deadline day in August 2017, completing a move from Leicester City. A year earlier, he played a pivotal part alongside N’Golo Kante in the centre of the pitch as the Foxes secured an incredible Premier League title win.

Injury delayed his Chelsea debut until late October, when he started a League Cup win against Everton. A run of substitute appearances followed, although he did start in a draw at Anfield and a big win against Stoke City, where he netted his maiden Blues goal with a memorable long-range strike.

The second half of his season was affected by injury but he did feature in the home game against Barcelona and then in back-to-back away matches in Manchester. His involvement in FA Cup victories over Norwich City, Newcastle United and Hull City ensured he picked up a winner’s medal when we lifted the trophy in May.

Following Maurizio Sarri’s appointment as head coach in the summer of 2018, Drinkwater came off the bench for the final 30 minutes of our Community Shield defeat to Manchester City. However, that proved his only appearance of the campaign.

He will now link up with former Chelsea youngster Jack Cork at Turf Moor as the Clarets look to extend their four-year stay in the Premier League.