According to reports on Italian website Mediaset Premium, via Football Italia, Chelsea are ready to cool their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches and instead move for Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater.

The report says that the Blues had been targeting a move for the 19-year-old, who looks set to leave the Bundesliga champions this summer following a difficult first season at the Allianz Arena, but now they have switched their attentions to Drinkwater.

The England international would once again link up with N’Golo Kante if he did complete a move to Stamford Bridge, with Mediaset Premium, via Football Italia, claiming that AC Milan have been left in pole position to sign the Portugal international on loan, although a permanent deal could still be possible.

While Antonio Conte is seemingly keen on Drinkwater, he certainly shouldn’t rule out a move for the Portuguese starlet, who could prove to be a better addition for the Premier League holders.

Here are three reasons Chelsea should be targeting Sanches over Drinkwater…

Statistics

While Drinkwater has shown that he is a decent – but not brilliant – passer of the ball, and can take players on when required, Sanches showed exactly what he is capable of for Bayern last season despite only spending a limited time on the pitch.

In 17 Bundesliga appearances the 19-year-old had an average passing accuracy of 88% - showing how comfortable he is in possession – while he proved his ability to get the ball and drive forward from the middle of the park by successfully completing 18 of the 26 take-ons he attempted.

That desire to attack could be a useful tool for Chelsea next season with the likes of N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko more likely to get the ball and distribute it rather than running themselves.

Risk

If Chelsea were to complete a big-money move to bring Drinkwater to Stamford Bridge - they are willing to pay £30m according to The Sun - it would certainly be something of a risk despite the great success that N’Golo Kante has been following his transfer to the Blues from the King Power Stadium last summer.

While the 27-year-old was an outstanding performer as Leicester pulled off the most unlikely of Premier League title wins in 2016 he – along with many of his teammates – struggled to replicate that form last term and it remains to be seen whether he has the ability to become a key player for Antonio Conte’s side.

Meanwhile, Football Italia says that Bayern are keen for Sanches to leave on loan, and it would certainly be less of a risky move for the Blues if they brought the young Portuguese star in instead of Drinkwater.

Potential

While Drinkwater has proven to be a consistent performer for Leicester over the years, it’s difficult to see that he has the outstanding qualities to become a regular in the Chelsea side and be preferred to the likes of N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and new boy Tiemoue Bakayoko in the starting line-up.

Sanches may still be raw and may have struggled to impose himself on the Bayern first team in his first season in Germany last time out – he played just 903 minutes in total across 25 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga giants – he has the potential to do something brilliant as he showed by earning the move to the Allianz Arena, as well as for his country at Euro 2016.

Do you agree, Blues fans? Let us know below.