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Chelsea have not yet decided whether Matt Miazga will go on loan this season. Manager Antonio Conte said that a decision on the young American's status for the upcoming season will not be decided until after the club's preseason U.S. tour.
"About [Miazga's] situation, I prefer to speak with the club," Conte told ESPN.
"With the club, we are agreed that after this period, and after I have seen the situation with the players, we must take together the right decision for the player, for the club. It's important, this."
Miazga hasn't played in either of Chelsea's U.S. tour contests so far, casting doubt on his future at the club as he enters a crucial stage in his development. John Terry and Gary Cahill have been the starting centerbacks, with neither coming off for a substitute yet.
Chelsea have Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and Michael Hector as other centerback options, but none are established in the center of defense. Ivanovic is a natural fullback, but also aging, Zouma is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear in his knee and Tomori is an 18-year-old who most believe isn't ready for the Premier League yet. The best option appears to be Hector, who is favored at the club, but spent last season with Reading in the Championship and has never played in the Premier League.
There's clearly a need at centerback, especially for younger ones considering Terry and Cahill's age. Chelsea could also need more centerbacks than normal if new manager Antonio Conte opts for his favored three-man central defense.
Miazga could step in and be an option for Chelsea. He played twice for the Blues in the spring after making the move to Stamford Bridge last January and now he's trying to adjust to a new manager in Conte.
"There's different philosophies and methods; attacking philosophies and the way we're defending, our shape and all that stuff," said Miazga. "We're working hard to fulfill that philosophy and continue to work. It's preseason, so there's obviously going to be some moments where we can improve."
Chelsea have been linked to Kalidou Koulibaly, who would almost certainly become an immediate starter for the Blues and push Miazga further down the list. The Blues also have no European competition this season, so there will be fewer opportunities for everyone at Stamford Bridge. Still, the goal for the 21-year-old American should be to win the fourth centerback spot, which he could. If he can do that then he'll be at Chelsea this season and have a real role in the team.
If Miazga can't be Chelsea's fourth centerback, he'll need a loan, and it might better if he gets a loan regardless. He can't afford to spend a season on the bench. It's crucial that he gets playing time because he hasn't played regularly since November 2015. That's a long time to go with minimal matches for a 21-year-old central defender who has serious potential, but also needs to improve. It's vital continue to develop, for himself, so he might actually make the Chelsea team in the future or at least have resale value, and so he can develop into a starter for the U.S. national team. Whether he goes to a club on the continent, a lower Premier League club or even down to the Championship, Miazga has to play regularly.
At 21 years old, Miazga's best years are still in front of him. He has time to reach his peak and still have a long, productive prime of his career at the highest level in the sport. The key is making sure he gets there.
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