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Matt Miazga travels with Chelsea ahead of Champions League clash against PSG

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A series of injuries to Chelsea’s key defenders may have opened the door for a high-profile debut for Matt Miazga.

Following injuries to John Terry and Kurt Zouma, Matt Miazga has been named to Chelsea’s traveling squad ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. Miazga is one of 20 eligible players to travel with the club, which also opted to bring 18-year-old centerback Jake Clarke-Salter on the trip to France.

Miazga and Clarke-Salter join Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic as the only centerbacks named to the roster.

The decision to bring Miazga to France comes on the heels of an injury to Terry, who is set to miss time with a hamstring injury. Zouma, meanwhile, will be out for an extended period of time due to a anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 20-year-old U.S. Men’s National Team defender, who joined Chelsea in January, has yet to be named to the bench for the Blues in his short stay with the club.

What do you think of the news? Think Miazga could be named to the matchday squad?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. i think this the best time young plays being drafted in the first team.Our club`s big names are now cunning.Lets faith in our youn guys.

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  2. jealous from Zimbabwe Mbire District

    I think this is the best to have more junior players,because they would want to market themselves.I think he might be fielded.

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    • Kanjani!

      I doubt he will see the field. If he does, that means something terrible has happened! Maybe in the second leg after PSG has sewn up this tie.

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  3. I think including his name in squad was a good idea and I am extremely sure that he is going to play today but not among d first xi. An early goal will lead to his debut.

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  4. I see Baba at LB, Cahill and Iva in the middle, with Cesar at RB. I thinks MM makes the bench, but I’d be surprised to see him play.

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  5. I thought he was already named to the champions league roster prior to the injuries of both zouma and Terry? From the clubs perspective, only some form of a nightmare/disaster will result in Miazga actually having to take the field. He’ll be ready soon enough, though, as he is the real deal.

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  6. Would doubt they would throw him out there considering his last match was November 29th, I don’t think he’s even played a friendly since then. I think pretty much any manager in the world would go with to veteran center backs on the road in a CL game, instead of a 20 year old recent signing. He might make the bench though. There’s a stretch at the end of the month with 3 games in 8 days against Southhampton, Norwich, and Stoke with the return leg of CL a few days after that, that would look to be a better shot to actually play with perhaps a replay of the FA Cup if there’s a draw against Man City thrown in somewhere too.

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  7. I will be very disappointed if Clarke-Salter somehow is ahead of Miazga. He may have a higher ceiling or whatever, but I doubt that like Miagza he has experience playing (and winning, and scoring) in front of 50,000 people

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    • espn quoted hiddink as saying that clarke-salter was ahead of miazga at the moment, but that may have just been down to their respective fitness levels (or just coach-speak to push miazga).

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    • No, But Miazga has played, won and scored in front of 48,047 people. He has about a 50/50 chance to make the bench and about a 10 percent chance of making an appearance in the game, which, when you think about it is pretty amazing. Sometimes the stars align on your career path and its up to Miazga, if given the chance, to make the most of the opportunity given him. He’ll do good.

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    • They only brought 20 players and 18 make the bench. Those aren’t bad odds. I don’t think people realize that this kid is the real deal. He has the ability to play for Chelsea. No guarantee he makes it but he is better than many appreciate.

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    • “No chance” is a truly ridiculous statement. He may not make it, but when 18 out 20 will make the field or the bench, he definitely has a chance. Not to mention that he is probably 3rd best option for a CB that they have in the squad. If you say no chance, then you should be happy to bet $1,000 against my $10, right?

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  8. Well they have to name 1 back up to dress as part of the bench. It could be Miazga who’s 20 and has played in a U20 WC as well as a WC qualifier, and MLS playoffs Or….. the 18 year old kid from their academy which by what I could find out doesn’t have much experience as a pro in top flight games…. if any

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  9. I sure would like to see him out there if he is fit. Throw him out with the big boys, I think he can handle it. What better way to make your debut than in the CL against PSG and Zlatan. Do I think this will happen? Absolutely not.

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    • This is a terrible idea. He’s a promising young player but the highest level game he’s played in was in mls playoffs. Maybe he could hold is own, but he’s a defender, not a striker, so if he’s not ready he could easily lead to goals, which doesn’t exactly build confidence for a young player, and could easily hamper his development.

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      • @slow

        “Has to step up some time”

        sure he does, but a ‘step up’ would be maybe a domestic cup, or a league game against a manageable opponent. to debut him against psg in a do-or-die situation would be horrible management, and i’m not sure if even miazga would want that.

      • If he is as talented as a lot of us believe him to be then he should be able to handle it. He may not be perfect but if he plays fairly well in a game like that his confidence will go through the roof and only help expedite his growth. I don’t think a bad showing would kill the kids confidence, hell in a season like this they aren’t expected to do anything in the CL. He comes across as very confident, composed and level headed. I think he would do very well. This is spoken as a US fan, not a CFC manager.

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