The football player became a victim of aggression and criticism because he refused an invitation to the national team. According to the player, he recently recovered from an injury and had not yet managed to get in tone - he was not ready for performances in England. Gareth Southgate was sympathetic to the player’s position, and famous ex-players burst into angry words at Daniel. Alan Shearer said that Drinkwater should never again be called to the national team, and Chris Sutton gave a very offensive and, as it turned out, prophetic speech.

“Drinkwater made the biggest mistake of his career. When I told Glenn Hoddle that I did not want to play for the national team in 1998, that was the worst decision I had ever made. Already at 24, my international career ended. Now Drinkwater’s chances of playing at the 2018 World Cup have surely disappeared, and future England coaches - no matter if it will be Southgate or not - will not want to call him, ”said Chelsea ex-forward Sutton.