Gabriel Slonina’s hand injury has led to his return to Stamford Bridge.
Slonina has returned to parent club Chelsea from EFL League One side Barnsley, the clubs announced Wednesday. The American goalkeeper originally joined Barnsley last August and proceeded to make 14 appearances across all competitions.
However, a finger/hand injury suffered in November has sidelined Slonina since then.
“It’s disappointing to have to say farewell to Gaga,” Barnsley FC Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said. “We hoped to see him play a lot of games for Barnsley this season. However, the injury came at a bad time and unfortunately, that is the nature of the industry. His professionalism and work ethic have been outstanding, and we wish him well for the future.”
The 20-year-old earned EFL Cup Player of the Round honors after an impactful Barnsley debut. Slonina made two penalty saves in a 4-2 shootout result over Wigan Athletic, while fellow American Donovan Pines scored the only goal for Barnsley in a 1-1 regulation scoreline.
Slonina spent all of last season at Belgian side Eupen in his first European experience since moving to England from MLS’ club Chicago Fire.
A promising U.S. men’s national team prospect, Slonina will now have to wait and see what the immediate future holds for him. Should he make a full recovery from his injury this winter, Slonina could be loaned out again by Chelsea for the final five months of the European season.
Chelsea has four goalkeepers in its first team ranks and remains very much alive in the English Premier League title race.
Please don’t anyone call him Gaga ever again.
Gaga.
oof. Ok but no more after that.
he was a fairly average keeper for an ok third division team (mid-1s GAA, win some lose some, 1 shutout in 11 leagues games) that shipped 7 goals with him in the net to ManU in a cup game. meh.
in that context, i take this to be barnsley saying i don’t see the point in carrying a hurt loan player when i am in the neighborhood of a playoff slot if i make some moves and improve. have him back. there is no way based on third division mediocrity and an injury CFC has decided it’s his “time” in the Bigs. he’ll heal up then depending on timing maybe be sent on loan someplace else.
I read the injury has taken longer to heal than expected. This might indicate he needs surgery or at least better rehab than Barnsley can provide. Sounds like he’ll finish the year out with Chelsea reserves if he does get fit, you’re right he’s not playing for the first team anytime soon.