Chicago Fire loanee and young Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has been told by a former USMNT shot stopper why he may not immediately be given the chance under Graham Potter to try and dislodge one of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Blues squad for the 2023/24 season.
The 18-year-old has had a standout season in goal in the MLS for Chicago Fire, keeping 12 clean sheets in the 32 matches played in 2022. This is triple the improvement of what was achieved in 2021.
Chelsea signed the goalkeeper, who has been touted as the next Thibaut Courtois, for a mere £8million before he was loaned back to Fire for the remainder of their campaign.
READ MORE: Gabriel Slonina sends Chelsea message following £12m transfer to join 'best club in London'
With his loan move expected to end at the end of December ahead of his return to Cobham, many supporters have been calling for his slow integration into the first-team set up amid Edouard Mendy's and Kepa Arrizabalaga's recent shaky form.
Kepa started Graham Potter's first match in charge against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League but this was due in part to the fact that the Senegalese was nursing a minor injury. Who starts after the international break when the Blues make the short trip across the capital to face Crystal Palace remains a mystery.
But in the long-term, Potter's requirements for what he needs from a goalkeeper could play into Slonina's hands, with the former Brighton manager already showing his ruthless streak as a manager to make big changes. For example, getting rid of Australian international Mathew Ryan and replacing him with the unknown Robert Sanchez at the AMEX Stadium was a risky call but one that benefitted the Seagulls in the end.
Could he do the same with a young prodigy who who achieved a save percentage this season of 67% and low goals against per 90 (GA90) of only 1.41, as per FBRef.com?
Not in the opinion of former USMNT goalkeeper and Premier League icon Brad Friedel, who gave his opinion on the matter to Betway.com.
He said: "I know Slonina well. I have watched him a lot. He is one for a long way ahead. Chelsea, in my opinion, are not signing him to play right now. I would assume they would be looking for loans for him.
"Chelsea, look at their number 1 and 2, and the amounts they paid for them, and the amounts they pay to them, and their ages. There is a long way to go to be Chelsea’s number one. I would assume they purchased him as a project for the future."
Chelsea fans- Would you give Gabriel Slonina a chance in the first-team set up next season or do you agree with Friedel that he needs another loan move? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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