Another new European test awaits US men’s national team center back Matt Miazga, as he’s signed with Belgian powerhouse RSC Anderlecht on a one-year loan from Chelsea FC.
Miazga, 25, joined Chelsea in 2016 after impressing as a Homegrown Player for the New York Red Bulls. But he’s only played in two matches for the Premier League side, and is often instead deemed surplus to requirements.
"Matt can win duels, but also has pace and technique,” Anderlecht sporting director Peter Verbeke said in a release. A combination that is hard to find and one we always look for in a central defender, as we want to keep playing our own style of football.”
Miazga spent last season on loan with Championship side Reading in England’s second division. He’s also been on loan at Vitesse in Holland and Nantes in France, having won the KNVB Cup with the former in 2016-17.
That’s exposed Miazga to several playing styles, and now he’ll look to impress at Anderlecht. They’ve won 34 Belgian first-division titles, and also have fringe USMNT winger Kenny Saief on the books, though he’s on loan at Polish side Lechia Gdansk.
“I like to be a leader and win my duels,” Miazga said in a club video. “I love to get stuck in in challenges and like to play football and use my passing range.”
Miazga said he’s fit and ready to contribute, which should help his continued USMNT career. Miazga has 18 senior-team caps to date.
