Gabriel Slonina’s hand injury will reportedly lead to his return to Stamford Bridge this winter.
Slonina is set for an early recall from his season-long loan spell at EFL League One side Barnsley, reports from the club.
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.
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, 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.
WWW.Afojsoccersports.com. 