Chelsea youngster Gabriel Slonina already thinks his game has improved so much after a short time working with Chelsea.
Slonina, who’s just 18, is a highly-rated goalkeeper now on the books at Stamford Bridge.
The shot-stopper actually signed for the Blues last summer before returning to Chicago Fire on loan to see out the MLS season, which has given him a great opening taste of first-team football.
He’s finally linked up with Chelsea during the New Year, making a Blues Under-21s debut last month.
Gabriel Slonina quotes
Chelsea’s teenage keeper has spoken very highly this week about his start to life in west London.
For example, he made an eye-catching comment that he already feels like he’s “improved in everything” after working with the goalkeeper department at the club.
“It’s gone great so far. All the goalkeepers, the entire coaching staff and team are top professionals. They want you to improve so being around that environment for the past month has been amazing,” Slonina told the club’s official website.
“I think I’ve made huge strides, improving as a player and in a personal field so hopefully I continue to keep doing that working with this group of guys. It’s honestly been amazing.
“I think I’ve improved in everything, just being able to see the little things that I didn’t even think about before and working on those, tweaking them to make me quicker, to make me stronger, to make me more powerful.”
Slonina already looks like quite a formidable presence in goal with his 6ft 4in frame, but there’s still time for him to grow and fill out more in upcoming years.
He recently made an impressive senior international debut for the United States, but will a first-team appearance for Chelsea soon follow?
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy are two senior keepers battling for the No.1 position at the Bridge. They’ve both had criticism at various times of their careers at the club, though.
If Slonina can get minutes with the Under-21s and mix it with the seniors in training, let’s hope that he’s knocking on the door for an opportunity under Graham Potter.
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