John Terry Has Become My Mentor- Matt Miazga

LONDON — Matt Miazga has told ESPN FC that John Terry has become a mentor since he arrived at Chelsea, adding he is looking forward to working with Antonio Conte next season.

Saturday saw January signing Miazga make his Chelsea debut in a comfortable 4-0 win over Aston Villa alongside Branislav Ivanovic in the heart of defence, with Terry absent due to an Achilles problem and Gary Cahill was sidelined with an injury picked up on England duty.

Last season, Terry played every minute of the Premier League campaign as Chelsea surged to their first title win in five years, but the 35-year-old’s Stamford Bridge future is now uncertain after being informed in January that the club had declined to offer him an extension to his current contract, which expires this summer.

U.S. international Miazga is determined to learn from Terry as he attempts to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, and says the Chelsea captain is always happy to help.

Asked what working with Chelsea’s experienced defenders has taught him, Miazga told ESPN FC: “The most important thing I’ve learned is the professionalism they have on and off the pitch. How they conduct themselves, how they make sure their bodies are always ready.

“I’ve seen John always training in the gym, keeping his body fit. The way he takes care of his body as an older player — you’ve just got to develop those habits.

“Also on the pitch, the positioning they have. John’s played over 700 games and you can see the little things he does, positioning his body to deal with crosses and reading plays. If I ever have questions I ask and he’s always willing to answer, so it’s been good.

“He’s regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, so if you have this guy as a teammate you’ve got to try and learn from him. Be your own player but pick up things that he does. Our other centre-backs as well — Gary, Branislav, Kurt [Zouma] — I try to pick up on little things that they do well.”

Terry’s future at Stamford Bridge is now in the hands of Conte. Chelsea confirmed on Monday that the 46-year-old will take over from interim boss Guus Hiddink as first team head coach on a three-year contract at the conclusion of Italy’s Euro 2016 campaign.

Conte forged his managerial reputation by winning three straight Serie A titles in dominant fashion with Juventus prior to taking the Italy post, and Miazga is looking forward to working with a coach who helped defenders Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli flourish during his time in Turin.

“I’m excited to work with Antonio and excited by the news of a great appointment of a coach like him,” Miazga added. “He has to finish with the Italian national team and we have to finish our season here, but I’m excited for the future.”

The 20-year-old added that he is settling in well at Stamford Bridge since joining from New York Red Bulls in January and he has struck up a good friendship with midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

“Everyone’s been very welcoming. I talk to everyone and all the guys are great, but I’ve become pretty close with Ruben Loftus-Cheek on and off the pitch. We tend to hit long balls after training, work on our weaker foot and he’s next to me in the changing room, so we talk a lot and we’ve become good friends.”