Matt Miazga has yet to play a single minute for Chelsea’s senior team since joining the English Premier League club on Jan. 31, but he may soon have the opportunity.
In his press conference on Friday, Blues head coach Guus Hiddink admitted a top four finish in the league was likely out of reach, and so opportunities for fringe and youth players on the team to play will likely be given in the coming weeks.
“There are chances that younger players can get their opportunity,” he said on Chelsea TV, “but without any guarantee from me. They need to knock on the door.”
There are a handful of young, talented players Hiddink could decide to play as the 2015-16 comes to an end, and one of those happens to be the U.S. Men’s National Team defender.
Miazga, who has been named to the gameday roster for Chelsea on three occasions this season, recently started and played 90 minutes for the club’s Under-21 team. Playing on the back line in a 3-5-2 formation, the 20-year-old centerback impressed and helped Chelsea earn a 3-1 win against Leicester City. The U-21s will not play again until April 4, when they take on Manchester United.
Chelsea’s senior team hosts West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Including this weekend’s contest, Miazga only has nine games left to make his debut this season.
What do you think of Hiddink’s comments? Think Miazga will play in the EPL this season?
Share your thoughts below.
He’ll almost certainly get his debut. Much more than that, not sure.
not too worried about if Hiddink rates him.. does Conte? i bet they are going to bring in a big CB or two in the summer so I hope he does well in whatever time he gets. the next few games vs West Ham, Villa and Swansea would be a good time to throw him in.
PSG exposed Chelsea’s back line lack of pace and poor concentration. It is fair to wonder how much longer some of those backs have with the team. I do not know where Miazga falls in Hiddinks list, but given the bench appearances, he is not too far down the line. It will be up to Miazga to perform well enough in front of screaming fans to make Hiddinks’ decision easy.
For most teams Europa is a great tourney. I think for Chelsea perhaps an annoyance. If they get there great if not they would be better suited to see what they got in these kids and Europa looks much more appealing if kids like Miazga earn it for them than a bunch of tired vets who may not be on the team next year. If they bomb then the new manager knows what holes to fill in the summer.
there’s a clear hierarchical division in which teams truly want europa, and it all depends on their long-term goals.
for chelsea, man u, etc., europa would be merely a distraction when what they really want is the epl title or at least a champions league place. of course, when they’re actually in europa, they claim that it’s a big deal and a good achievement, but they’re lying.
for southampton, stoke, everton, etc., it’s definitely something to aim for, because, realistically, that’s the highest goal they can attain [*pointedly ignores leicester city*], and it comes with some financial reward (provided they don’t tank in the epl).
With 9 matches left and 7 points from a Europa spot, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s any pressure being put on Hiddink to still finish strong and not throw in the towel. Roman Abramovich may feel this is some type of consolation prize to save face to an embarrassing season.
There’s also the element of retooling and bringing in fresh faces. Not playing in any form of Europe could have an affect on signings this offseason. Either way, if Miazga is going to see the pitch I imagine he’ll have to earn it – I don’t see it begin given to him simply because he’s young.
Europa league..everyone wants to get there, but then once you do, no one wants to be there.
Haha – well said.
Just to be clear, I personally don’t place value in it. I’m simply speculating on the ego/pride of Abramovich. For all I know, he may say: “I want no part of the Europa league. It’s beneath us. Bring on the youth!”
Clubs want to be in the Europa & Champions Leagues due to the extra revenue that they get. The money and exposure provide them selling points when they go looking for new players and coaches.
That is literally only the English club’s attitude toward it.