Mark Schwarzer backs Chelsea’s surprise move for Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater

Mark Schwarzer insists his former Leicester City team-mate Danny Drinkwater is capable of making the step up at Premier League champions Chelsea.

England midfielder Drinkwater has emerged as a target for Antonio Conte following the departure of Nemanja Matic, who booked a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Conte is determined to bolster his midfield options before the window closes and has also registered an interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley.

Many Chelsea fans raised their eyebrows after learning of the club’s interest in Drinkwater, but Schwarzer believes the 27-year-old can thrive at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Chelsea and Leicester goalkeeper said: ‘He’s not a Matic, he’s more of a creative player.

‘At Leicester last season we saw that he struggled without having N’Golo Kante next to him, but Danny is a very talented young man and has done incredibly well at Leicester.

‘I think he’s capable of making that step up.

‘Whether or not he’s someone who will play week-in week-out, whether he’s good enough to make that step up to be a mainstream player in Chelsea’s first XI, we’ll only know once he makes that step if it happens.

‘But he’s definitely got the ability.’