Possibly the biggest transfer news in American soccer history was made this week when it was reported that Chelsea is likely set to sign 20-year-old New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga. Miazga had a phenomenal calendar year in 2015, adding minutes with the US U-20 and U-23 teams as well as juggling his regular club duties with the Red Bulls.
Miazga is a six-foot-three physical center back. He started 28 of 30 games for the Red Bulls this season, tallying 2,488 minutes. He also played every minute of the U-20 World Cup where he helped the US squad advance to the quarterfinals only to lose to eventual champions Serbia on penalties. That earned him a call up to the U-23 squad as they continued preparation for the Olympics.
He is also rather undisciplined at this point in his career. Understandably so, as he is a young, aggressive defender that wants to make a reputation as a physical presence on the backline. He has tacked up eight yellow cards and three reds in 38 MLS appearances over three seasons.
However, his form last year was enough to garner international attention, especially his performance at the U-20 World Cup. Toward the end of the MLS season in 2015, there were reports of English scouts at nearly every Red Bulls game. When the January window hit, it was almost a sure thing that Miazga would be heading abroad.
That being said, Chelsea was rarely, if ever, in the discussion. A decision was expected this week and all signs pointed towards a struggling Sunderland side. There was also interest from Leicester City, the Premier League frontrunner. It was massive news when Chelsea sent in a bid to swoop up Miazga.
After the news broke, the conversation immediately changed to how Miazga fit into Chelsea’s plans. It is completely possible that he finishes out the year with the U-21 side and simply gets accustomed to the club and the style of play. A loan in the future is also a good likelihood. What we should not be expecting is for Miazga to waltz into London in a week or two and instantly start at center back for a struggling Chelsea side.
Even with all of that, the future is bright for the American backline. With Miazga likely on his way to one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, his center back partner at the U-20 World Cup is already making a name for himself at another one of London’s top clubs. Cameron Carter-Vickers, just 18-years-old, is one of the highest rated academy products at Tottenham. Captain of the club’s U-21 side, he has not appeared for the senior team yet, but was an available substitute for one of Tottenham’s Europa League matches this season.
Carter-Vickers looks well on his way to making himself a staple of a Premier League backline, and Miazga could be doing the same within the year. Two players who were rarely talked about 18 months ago (nobody even knew Carter-Vickers was American at that point) are now the focal point of the future for US Soccer.
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