Chelsea star pictured in Strasbourg training with transfer future uncertain

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Evening Standard

·16 July 2026

Chelsea star pictured in Strasbourg training with transfer future uncertain

Gabriel Slonina’s short-term future up in the air after Mike Penders’ arrival in west London

The one-cap United States international signed for the Blues from Chicago Fire in 2022 before immediately returning to the MLS side on loan. He has since spent time with Belgian side Eupen and Barnsley.

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Slonina was Chelsea’s third-choice goalkeeper last season, though, a burden he split with Max Merrick and Teddy Sharman-Lowe as Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen took turns as No1.

In four years with Chelsea, the 22-year-old Slonina is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club, but has featured 11 times for the Under-21s.

And his long-term future in west London has been plunged into doubt after he was pictured training with Chelsea’s BlueCo sister club, Strasbourg.

It is unclear exactly how long Slonina has been training with Strasbourg, though he will be benefiting from the wisdom of newly appointed head coach Hugo Oliveira, an esteemed goalkeeper coach credited with producing the likes of Jan Oblak and Manchester City legend Ederson.

Gabriel Slonina pictured in training with Strasbourg

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Slonina’s appearance in Alsace comes after Mike Penders returned to Chelsea having spent last season on loan with Strasbourg, leaving the Blues with five first-team goalkeepers on the books.

Penders, 20, was Strasbourg’s first-choice shot-stopper throughout the 2025/26 campaign and is extremely highly rated by Chelsea’s hierarchy, who see him as a potential long-term No1.

He is expected to play as Sanchez’s backup under Xabi Alonso in this coming campaign, with Jorgensen having tendered a transfer request. His return to Chelsea, of course, leaves Strasbourg without a first-choice goalkeeper.

Slonina’s short-term future remains unclear, though a sale or loan to Strasbourg is certainly an option. Chelsea have regularly exchanged players between Stamford Bridge and the Stade de la Meinau since BlueCo bought a majority stake in the club in 2023.