Chelsea looks to be in the market for a new goalkeeper

Chelsea’s goalkeeper position has undergone a lot of change over the last few seasons. Club legend Petr Cech—now the Blues’ Technical and Performance Adviser—held down his spot as the No. 1 between the sticks for a decade from 2004 to 2014. Thibaut Courtois looked to be Cech’s long-term successor as he took over for the Premier League’s all-time leader in clean sheets during the Czech’s last two seasons in SW6. However, the Belgian forced a move to Real Madrid four years later, sending Chelsea into a panicked frenzy late in the transfer window.

The Blues broke the transfer record for a goalkeeper to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao as Maurizio Sarri’s side made a deadline day splash. The Spaniard’s first year at Chelsea was a success as he notably won the UEFA Europa League between the sticks. Nevertheless, his sophomore season under Frank Lampard was a disaster. This forced another change from the Blues once their transfer ban was lifted. Cech helped them scout one of the world’s best in Edouard Mendy. The Senegalese shot-stopper has made the starting spot his own over the last two years, but it now seems as if Chelsea is in the market for a goalkeeper once again.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Gabriel Slonina shows the Blues want a new keeper soon

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed on Friday that the Blues have been in discussions with the Chicago Fire regarding the future transfer of goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. The talks have since halted due to the sanctions put on the reigning Champions League winners. Although there is currently no agreement in place, this is a potential purchase that Chelsea can revisit at the end of April when a new owner takes over and the sanctions are lifted. The deal shouldn’t be difficult to get over the line given the inexpensive transfer fee (reportedly around £5.4 million); unless, of course, another club swoops in to sign Slonina between now and then.

Any potential signing of Slonina would be one for the future. Mendy’s spot is in no way, shape or form under threat, the 30-year-old is the Blues’ No. 1 for the foreseeable future. The appeal with Slonina is undoubtedly his age. The 17-year-old became the youngest starting goalkeeper in American top flight history when he made his professional debut back in August of 2021. Slonina kept a clean sheet in his debut against the eventual league champion, New York City FC.

The youngster’s 11 appearances during his debut campaign were obviously enough to convince new manager Ezra Hendrickson that he was worthy of a starting spot. Slonina has started all four games for Chicago during the currently MLS campaign—still just 17. He’s racked up three clean sheets, conceding just one goal en route to two wins and two draws. In addition to his domestic success, Slonina received a call-up to Gregg Berhalter’s U.S. Men’s National Team in January. The Addison, Illinois native didn’t appear in a game, but the call-up speaks to his recent meteoric rise.

The Blues had planned to sign Slonina in the summer transfer window, when they would loan him back to the Chicago Fire until the end of the 2023 campaign. This still remains a possibility with the new owners, but it’s seen as a surefire (no pun intended) transfer for the future. Slonina was in line to become the latest talented American keeper to make his way to the Premier League from the MLS. Manchester City paved the way for this type of transfer when it signed Zack Steffen from the Columbus Crew in 2019. He’s become an important No. 2 for Pep Guardiola during his time in Europe, all while developing as the United States’ starting goalie. Meanwhile, Arsenal recently announced its signing of American international Matt Turner from the New England Revolution.

Obviously, Chelsea’s scouting department and Cech have worked closely to ensure the club is stable between the sticks for years to come. There is no telling where Slonina would fit into this squad currently with Mendy, Arrizabalaga and third keeper Marcus Bettinelli all content with their places in the team. The latter of the bunch is still just 29, so as long as he’s fine with cashing checks and playing once or twice per season, he could stay with the Blues for a long time as a homegrown third option. It’s possible Arrizabalaga moves on in the near future given his recent resurgence as a top-level European goalkeeper. There is expected to be numerous clubs inquiring about the 27-year-old’s availability this summer, Slonina could act as an eventual replacement here.

This all goes to show that while the American isn’t a necessity or a big name right now, Chelsea is doing its homework and planning for the long-term. The teenager would be a welcomed eventual addition to a team with a rich history of superstars between the sticks.

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