Chelsea Slonina trains with Strasbourg as future hangs in balance

Chelsea paid £10 million to bring 22‑year‑old United States goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire, and the former Blues third‑choice is now training with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg as he seeks a move. The 22‑year‑old United States international hopes the training stint will lead to either a loan or a permanent transfer.

Strasbourg, owned by the French investment group BlueCo, view the American keeper as a chance to add quality to their squad. The club believes the £10 million‑paid player can showcase his abilities in a competitive Ligue 1 environment. Manager Hugo Oliveira will assess whether the move fits his plans.

Any transfer could take the form of a loan or a permanent switch, but final approval rests with new Strasbourg manager Hugo Oliveira. His assessment will determine the structure of the deal. The decision has not yet been made.

Slonina has earned one senior cap for the United States, highlighting his international experience. He spent the previous season as Chelsea’s third‑choice goalkeeper, limiting his match exposure. The training stint reflects his desire for regular first‑team football.

During early sessions, Slonina trained under Xabi Alonso, who is part of the Strasbourg coaching staff. Alonso’s involvement offers the young goalkeeper exposure to high‑level tactical guidance.

Filip Jorgensen, another Chelsea goalkeeper and Denmark international, is also linked with Strasbourg, though reports suggest he is less enthusiastic about the move at this stage. The parallel interest underscores Strasbourg’s broader goalkeeping search.

Chelsea are now reviewing their third‑choice goalkeeping options, looking at both internal prospects and potential signings. Slonina’s possible departure creates a vacancy that the club must fill in the upcoming transfer window.

For Slonina, a successful switch to Strasbourg could provide the regular playing time he seeks, while Chelsea would free up a roster spot and potentially recoup part of their investment. Both clubs stand to benefit if the arrangement satisfies the player’s ambitions and the managers’ requirements.

The training footage was released by Getty Images, with the caption including the tag “Images]” to credit the source.