MLS: Chelsea ‘could send goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina BACK to Chicago Fire on loan in 2023’

Gabriel Slonina could be back in Major League Soccer in 2023, with his new club Chelsea prepared for him to continue his development away from Stamford Bridge.

That’s according to The Athletic, who say that the London side that signed the 18-year-old for $15million this summer will weigh up how best for him to develop later this year.

The publication says that one option could be for him to return to his boyhood team, Chicago Fire, for another season.

Chelsea signed 18-year-old American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina earlier this summer

Slonina could be in MLS in 2023 as Chelsea considers how best for him to develop

At present, Slonina has returned to Chicago on loan for the remainder of the 2022 campaign.

The Athletic says Chelsea could alternatively decide to send Slonina on loan to a team in Europe, as opposed to a move back to the States.

Slonina made his debut for the Fire last year at 17, becoming the youngest keeper to start a game in Major League Soccer, and he had been linked with a number of teams in Europe before Chelsea swooped.

But for now, Slonina is finished the season with Chicago and has a chance of making the USMNT setup for this year’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

After completing his Chelsea move, Slonina returned to Chicago to finish the 2022 season

Slonina received his first USMNT call-up in December and has featured at various youth levels but has yet to make an appearance for the senior team. The USMNT is playing two final tune-up games before the tournament vs. Japan and Saudi Arabia in late September.

The teenager’s move to Chelsea was Chicago’s most expensive transfer to date, and the club said a sell-on percentage has also been agreed as part of the deal. 

At present, Slonina has played 26 times for Chicago this season and has 10 clean sheets. The Fire is 13th in the Eastern Conference standings and five points outside the playoff spots.