Matt Miazga isn’t here to mess around.
Miazga, 20, signed for reigning Premier League champions (we can say that for about another month-and-a-half) Chelsea in January from the New York Red Bulls.
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The talented U.S. center back made his debut for Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT in November last year and is eager to accelerate his development at Chelsea, despite not appearing for the first team since arriving in January.
Speaking to Doug McIntyre of ESPN while with the U.S. U-23 team -- the U-23’s are preparing for their Rio 2016 Olympic play-off against Colombia -- Miazga’s lofty ambitions are readily apparent.
Good point. Though, getting ahead of Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and Kurt Zouma will prove tough in the immediate future.
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Terry could be gone after this season with his contract situation still undecided, while Zouma’s lengthy absence with a ruptured ACL should mean plenty of minutes for Miazga during preseason to prove his worth. A loan spell is likely for next season and who knows what lies in store for the New Jersey native once Chelsea officially appoints a new manager, with Antonio Conte reportedly set to be named as the Blues’ new boss.
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Current interim boss Guus Hiddink has liked Miazga enough to pop him on the bench in a big UEFA Champions League game at Paris Saint-Germain and again in the FA Cup, but it seems like he may have to bide his time before he gets any kind of run in Chelsea’s first team.