Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina was in action for Barnsley last night, and he’s come under fire for some criticism after his individual performance.
Gabriel Slonina, 20, is a Chelsea youngster with loads of potential. He’s learning a lot about senior football during a season-long loan with League One club Barnsley this year, though.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported via X earlier this year that Chelsea highly rate Slonina as a future option for them.
The young goalkeeper, who’s already earned one senior cap for the United States national side, is playing regular first-team action. He’s quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper at Oakwell, but he’s conceded 24 goals in 14 games to date for his loan club.
Slonina played on Tuesday night in Barnsley’s 2-2 league draw at home to Charlton Athletic. Unfortunately, the on-loan Reds player was called out by supporters for all the wrong reasons.
Barnsley fans criticise Gabriel Slonina
Many Barnsley supporters on social media were furious with Slonina after the midweek draw in League One versus Charlton.
The shot-stopper gifted the opposition a goal with a poor clearance that he parried out of his box, but his blushes were somewhat spared when his teammates netted a last-minute equaliser to make it 2-2.
Here are Barnsley fans on X suggesting that Slonina needs to be sent back to Stamford Bridge…
@jakebfc7 wrote: “Recall [Jackson] Smith and send Slonina back to Chelsea.”
@gww0112 posted: “Slonina cost us so many points it’s unreal.”
@JWarrior1995 shared: “What is the point in playing loan players if they are no better than what we’ve got? Slonina and [Matthew] Craig are not good enough.”
@kylem1887 said: “Slonina wants sending back to Chelsea asap. Genuinely.”
@FPLTyke claimed: “I’d ship Slonina back to Chelsea tomorrow… Cost us two points there.”
Gabriel Slonina will be learning so much
Despite the fact Slonina should have done better against Charlton, this one-year loan at Barnsley is so important to his overall development.
The American gloveman is playing consistently in men’s football, where at times he’s impressed in-between the sticks with his agility and reflexes. Of course, there’s going to be errors from such a young goalkeeper, which are magnified in his specialist position.
Slonina was a £12m signing (Evening Standard) from Chelsea back in 2022, and we’re no closer to finding out if he’s a suitable long-term option at the Bridge.
Hopefully, the young goalkeeper can keep his starting position at Barnsley to keep developing and maturing during the rest of this season.
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