Matt Miazga knows what people say about his move to Chelsea.
Though the appeal of joining a Premier League power was undeniable, the perception is that the defender bit off more than he could chew when joining the Blues from the New York Red Bulls at age 20.
In six years, Miazga made a grand total of two appearances for Chelsea. Disappointing? Sure. Surprising? Not at a club notorious for signing players and sending them on a never-ending series of loans until they are either sold or their contracts run out.
Miazga, who signed with FC Cincinnati last week, has heard all of it. And he wants to say that even now, after six years at Chelsea and five loan clubs, he isn’t feeling any regret.
“There was a lot of interest for me, and when Chelsea comes calling, when [Jose] Mourinho calls you and you’re able to meet with him in London, you’re not going to say no, really. It’s a dream and it was a proud moment to be wanted by a massive club like that,” Miazga told reporters on Tuesday.
After two appearances in his first half season at Stamford Bridge, Miazga’s journey took him to Vitesse, Nantes, Reading, Anderlecht and finally Alavés.
“Everyone thinks, ‘Oh, you go on loan, it’s not the right development path.’ But realistically, it is,” said Miazga. “I’m taking steps to climb back up the ladder. And that was the development process in all this.”
In Miazga’s telling, whatever he missed in terms of a stable club environment was made up for by experiencing different clubs, cultures, countries, playing styles and teammates all across Europe.
It’s experience that he hopes serves him well as he begins his second stint in MLS, chasing a league title as well as a return to the U.S. national team.
“I’ve been able to live in so many different countries – play football, my passion, in so many different countries,” the defender said. “And meet so many new people, so many lifelong friends that I’ll always have, teammates and people within the clubs that I played at, as well as immersing myself in new cultures, new places to live, and learning.
“When I look back, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
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