Drinkwater completed a £35m deadline day move to the champions after handing in a transfer request.
But Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare revealed the midfielder told him that he wanted to quit a month before making it official.
Drinkwater’s decision to jump ship has left a bad taste with some Leicester fans and Shakespeare hinted that he was disappointed at the way things had ended with one of the stars of their title winning team.
“I think there’s a saying that a lot of things in football will disappoint you, but nothing should surprise you,” said Shakespeare.
“If I’m honest, I knew well before his transfer request. Danny made it quite clear that his heart was set on a move.
“For me to tell our fans how to react would be wrong.”
But Shakespeare is confident that want-away star Riyad Mahrez is ready to play a starring role after failing to land a move on deadline day.
Mahrez left the Algerian training camp and ‘disappeared’ thinking a big move was imminent.
He was apparently spotted at several different airports across Europe but a move failed to materialise.
Shakespeare said: “I had an idea where he was. I would suggest it was an airport!
“He’s taken a bit of ribbing from the lads, but I’m sure he will brush it off. He’s told me he’s fully committed to the club.
“We’ve had a chat. I have absolutely no qualms about his attitude. He’s been excellent.”
New £22m star Adrien Silva will be in the stands for tomorrow’s game against Chelsea despite his move from Sporting Lisbon being blocked by FIFA because his registration was received 14 seconds too late.
Silva has been left in no-mans land while Leicester and the Portuguese club tread through a legal minefield trying to sort the matter out.
The Portugal midfielder can’t even train with his new club until the matter is resolved but is living in the city and is being kept fit by his fitness coach brother Jeremy.
Shakespeare said: “I feel for the lad because he’s so keen to come here. It’s a World Cup year and he just wants to play. He’s out on a limb.”
