Chelsea move: Playing time key for Miazga at Vitesse

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 30, 2017

If playing time is essential for Matt Miazga to remain in the mix for a role on the national team, Chelsea's decision to send him back to Dutch club Vitesse for a second season is a positive move.

"I felt very welcome and we have all made historic success," Miazga, 22, told Vitesse's official website of his return to the club. "That success will be expanded this coming season and I will continue to develop myself."

He helped Vitesse -- a popular place for Chelsea loanees -- win the 2017 Dutch Cup. It finished fifth in the Eredivisie, where Miazga played in 23 of 34 games at center back.

WHERE HE STANDS. That strong season earned him a callup for the Gold Cup, where he scored his first international goal in the 3-0 win against Nicaragua, sending the USA through as the first-place team in its group. Miazga's youth is on his side, but he is still about only sixth or seventh on the depth chart of U.S. center backs.