USA international defender denies Chelsea links

A few weeks ago there was a rather silly-sounding transfer rumor -- and that's saying something when it comes to transfer rumors -- that New York Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga was on Chelsea's shortlist of defensive targets.  It's a story I completely ignored, but maybe I figured we already filled our Djilobodji quota for the next few seasons.  Or perhaps that was just my anti-MLS prejudice showing.  New York Red Bulls' B-team did spank Chelsea in pre-season after all, to set the tone for this season.

Miazga did not play in that game but he became a Red Bulls regular soon after, following injury to ex-Premier Leaguer Ronald Zubar.  By the time Miazga turned 20 in July, he was a key part of the side that would eventually go on to contest the Eastern Conference finals in the MLS Cup playoffs (at which point, just this past weekend, they were eliminated by Columbus).  His performances earned him a call-up to the USA Men's National Team and he made his debut as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier against St. Vincent and Grenadines during the November international break.  Things are clearly looking up for the very tall, strong, young center back, who had been eligible to play for Poland as well thanks to his parents.

In any case, now that his season's over, attentions turn to his future.  The Red Bulls would obviously love to build for the future around him, and they do have him under contract for another season, but as the quality of the league improves, so do attentions from overseas.  Miazga was apparently asked about the Chelsea rumors recently, which he answered "quickly".

"I don't know anything about that."

-Matt Miazga; source: Empire of Soccer

As cool as it would be to see an American play for Chelsea, it probably won't be Miazga.  (I'd take a flyer on Kyle Scott doing so in a couple years however.)