Gabriel Slonina is not a young man who lacks self-belief. It's why he was able to establish himself as Chicago Fire's first-choice goalkeeper at just 17 years old; why he hasn't played down comparisons with Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon; why Chelsea are hopeful of signing the American this summer.
Real Madrid have also shown an interest in bringing Slonina to Europe. Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers too. Yet it's Chelsea, under American ownership as of a fortnight ago, that are leading the race for the young goalkeeper, who does not celebrate his 19th birthday until next year.
Slonina isn't set to join the Chelsea first-team squad this summer should he complete a switch, however. The expectation is he remains with Chicago on loan for the remainder of the 2022 campaign. After that, a decision will require as to what his next step will be.
