Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gaga Slonina is relishing the ‘pressure’ of the Premier League at Chelsea
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Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gaga Slonina enjoys Premier League ‘pressure’ with the MLS club already knocked out of the playoffs… while Chelsea’s $15 million signing looks to partner with Graham Potter
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The Chicago Fire has already been eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs. With that case, can anyone blame keeper Gaga Slonina for already looking forward to his jump over the pond?
Slonina has already agreed to a move with Chelsea that will take place once the season ends, and will leave his home state of Illinois for a bigger and tougher competition.
The Blues reportedly spent $15 million bringing the goalkeeper to London in one of the most expensive moves ever for an MLS academy product.
Slonina is coming to Chelsea in January 2023, but hearing it from him can’t come soon enough. The London-based club reportedly beat Real Madrid to get his autograph.
Illinois-born Chicago Fire keeper Gaga Slonina looks ahead to his future at Chelsea
The US international signed with the Blues for $15 million and will join the London club in 2023
“I’m super excited to just be in that environment and see what it’s like in the Premier League,” Slonina said on an episode of The Call Up podcast.
“How the coach acts when we win, when we lose, what does the dressing room look like? Just that level of pressure, I can’t wait to be there and be in that environment because I think you will learn from every person there.”
Slonina set the record for the youngest player to start an MLS game at 17 years and 81 days old. He set 16 clean sheets in 43 games for the Fire and was named on the MLS 22 under 22 list this year.
His willingness to move to Chelsea all stemmed from the vision presented to him by members of the club’s development staff. That staff worked under Thomas Tuchel before he was fired earlier this month. Graham Potter enters in his place, with whom Slonina is also eager to work with.
“The path they showed me and presented to me as I talked to them was something I really liked,” said Slonina
“They really focused on developing a player and making sure they see the right things, play games and get minutes. Because for a young keeper that is of course super important.
“You can train a lot, but you still have to see those match minutes and everything. I was drawn by the fans, to the location where it is. And it’s Chelsea, so it was a good idea.
Despite his enthusiasm to play for the Blues, it is highly likely that he will be loaned out – with Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga in front of him.
Slonina was named to MLS’ 22 under 22 list this year, earning 12 clean sheets this season
