The 20-year-old joins Stamford Bridge as an
unknown quantity but he impressed during his
breakthrough year in Major League Soccer
Chelsea have completed the signing of Matt
Miazga from New York Red Bulls - but who is
the 20-year-old defender signed from New
York Red Bulls?
Here’s the lowdown on the centre-back who
is set to challenge John Terry, Gary Cahill
and Kurt Zouma for a first-team place...
CAREER SO FAR
Miazga signed with New York Red Bulls in
May 2013 on a homegrown contract, rather
than go through the MLS draft, as most new
professionals do in the United States.
He featured only once in 2013 and just seven
matches the following year, but 2015 was
when he made a breakthrough.
To the surprise of many, Miazga was
considered as a regular starter in March and
he ended up making 30 appearances in MLS.
His impressive performances saw him finish
fourth in the voting for 2015 MLS Defender of
the Year.
At international level, he started four of five
games for the United States at the Under-20
World Cup last summer and is a part of the
Under-23 team that hopes to qualify for this
summer’s Olympics by beating Colombia in a
two-leg playoff in March.
His first senior call-up didn't come until
November, shortly after he publicly ruled out
playing for Poland (he was born in New
Jersey but his parents were Polish
immigrants). So Jurgen Klinsmann promptly
called him up and capped him in a 6-1 win
over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in World
Cup qualifying.
PLAYING STYLE
At 6ft 4in, Miazga is a strong aerial presence
and is excellent with his head.
The 20-year-old is powerful, aggressive in the
challenge, and is good at reading the game,
as highlighted by his excellent performances
up against David Villa and Sebastian Giovinco
last year.
For someone with little experience, Miazga is
composed enough to try and start play from
the back, and he has the confidence to
attempt more direct passes towards the
striker.
However, he is prone to errors and has been
caught ball-watching at times. His record of
three red cards in 38 senior games for Red
Bulls is also remarkably high.
WHAT THE PLAYER SAYS
"I like to watch players in Europe and how
they step up in the biggest games, serious
situations,” Miazga told FourFourTwo.
“I definitely admire Jerome Boateng; Varane
and Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid are two
others I like as well.
“I don’t want to copy anyone, though, but to
have my own style.
"I might borrow one little thing or two, but in
general I'm trying to build my own identity as
a footballer.”
VIEW FROM HIS FORMER MANAGER
“His starting points are very high –
everything from his mentality to his
awareness to his athleticism – means his
ceiling is very high,” Red Bulls head coach
Jesse Marsch said last August.
“I think in many ways he’s been one of the
best defenders in the league this year and
should be considered in that echelon.
“It’s about making sure that he continues to
push himself, because the moment he stops
to feel good about what he’s done, that’s
when you start to slip and interrupt the
progress that’s being made.
"He’s done well and we’re proud of him. He’s
a big player around here now, but there’s still
so much more to go.”







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