Chelsea paid £10 million for a teenage goalkeeper in 2022. Almost four years later, he still hasn’t played a minute of senior football for the club. Now Gabriel Slonina is headed for the exit, with French side RC Strasbourg exploring a loan deal for the 22-year-old American.
Zero appearances, one expensive lesson
Slonina arrived from MLS side Chicago Fire in August 2022 on a six-year contract. He was 18 at the time, widely regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in American soccer.
Across the entirety of his Chelsea tenure, Slonina has logged exactly zero senior appearances for the club. Chelsea have made him available for sale this summer as part of a broader squad overhaul under the club’s management.
Strasbourg’s interest stems from a specific need. Mike Penders, who spent the 2025-26 season on loan at the Ligue 1 club, has returned to his parent club after a productive campaign that included 33 appearances across all competitions. That leaves a goalkeeper-shaped hole in Strasbourg’s roster heading into next season.
