Chelsea defender Matt Miazga says that the presence of big names like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo shows that MLS is improving and growing every year.

The 21-year-old himself progressed through the youth academy of New York Red Bulls before signing for the Blues in January on a four-and-a-half-year deal and has seen first-hand how the presence of household names has helped the competition expand so positively.

Ahead of Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US, Miazga told the club's official website: "Every year there are more teams, more fans and more people talking about it every year, and that helps attract the big-name names like Drogba and Lampard and Pirlo.

"You see these stars come in and try to improve the league, and when they're playing everyone wants to see them.

"It draws attention and they entertain and people come and watch, and every year it's growing and growing."