Chelsea could land Dutch International winger Royston Drenthe
from Real
Madrid in the summer, with the former Feyenoord
player falling out of favour at the Bernabeu and attracting strong
criticism from Los Blancos legend Alfredo di Stefano.
The Blues lost out on left-winger Drenthe in the summer of 2007,
with the Dutchman, who was also being chased by La Liga pacesetters
Barcelona opting for Real instead of the Premier League club.
However, despite Drenthe featuring in 15 of Los Merengues
first 18 matches in Spain’s Primera
Division this season the arrival of former Tottenham
Hotspur manager Juande Ramos has seen the winger drop down
the pecking order at the capital side.
Drenthe is widely expected to leave the Spanish side this
summer, with the attack by di Stefano, which included personal
comments about the Dutch winger, sure to do nothing to convince
Drenthe that his future remains in Madrid.
Di Stefano said “I think that Drenthe should be more worried
about defence rather than attack, and also, he should cut his hair
and take off the earrings.”
Drenthe's reply was: “I listen to everything that Di Stefano
says and I give my all for Real Madrid, but that business about
hair and earrings is personal. I like to be as I am, so I will not
be following his advice.”
Now reports claim that Chelsea are eager to bring Drenthe to
Stamford Bridge, with the Premiership
side said to be confident of securing a seal for the 21-year-old in
the summer.