Strasbourg hand trials to Chelsea keeper Slonina as they seek long-term option
With Polish signing Milosz Piekutowski not seen as a guaranteed starter, the Chelsea goalkeeper has emerged as a candidate to fill the position at the Ligue 1 club.
According to the report, the 22-year-old is already in Alsace and will be assessed over several weeks to establish whether he meets the requirements of new RCSA head coach Hugo Oliveira, particularly in his distribution with the ball at his feet. Should he pass that audition, Strasbourg could pursue a loan deal or an outright transfer.
Slonina joined Chelsea from Chicago Fire in 2022 and is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2028. Born in Illinois to Polish parents, the goalkeeper made his professional debut for the Fire at 17 and became the youngest starting goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history at the time. The American international, capped once by the USMNT, has previously spent loan spells at Belgian side Eupen and English Championship club Barnsley, with the latter cut short by injury.
Chelsea are also said to be preparing to move on Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, 24, who remains an option for Strasbourg should Slonina fail to convince Oliveira during his trial period. Jorgensen joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2024 and has since won the Conference League and the Club World Cup with the Premier League side, though first-team opportunities have been limited behind Chelsea’s other goalkeeping options.
Strasbourg’s goalkeeping situation has been in flux since Petrovic’s departure, with Penders having also moved on from the club. Oliveira, who joined this summer, is said to favour a similar playing style out from the back to that of his predecessor, Liam Rosenior, meaning distribution qualities are likely to weigh heavily in any final decision on who takes the gloves.
No agreement has yet been reached over a permanent deal or loan for either goalkeeper, with Strasbourg’s evaluation of Slonina still ongoing in the coming weeks.
