The Tykes Go Gaga Over Their New Keeper: Gabriel Slonina at Barnsley (olf Chelsea)

James Trafford turned a few successful League One seasons into one of the most expensive English GK transfers of all time

 

There'd be worse careers than the next Sergino Dest:

pic.twitter.com/nF6lJDhDgm

— GAGA (@GabrielSlonina) August 14, 2024

 

Gaga Slonina y su debut PERFECTO con el Barnsley en la primera ronda de la #CarabaoCup:

🧤 Dos penaltis parados en la tanda
✅️ Clasificados a la siguiente ronda

Impecable impacto del portero estadounidense de 20 años cedido por el Chelsea. #USMNT 🇺🇲pic.twitter.com/NKkpefVlzx

— Mario Reinoso (@MarioReinoso17) August 14, 2024

 

Whatever league you're in, that is a pretty good shift by a GK.

 

So the hope is he may emerge the best keeper in this division right by season's end?

 

What a gauntlet it must be to be one of the Chelsea loan army. The last two moves have been pretty low bounces. An outstanding League 1 season yields a move to... ✨ the Championship ✨

 

Gaga is a super normal for a GK his age at a big club in England.

You would see similar situations for guys like Pope, Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone etc etc at the same age.

 

Nick Pope went on loan to the fifth tier in his comparable season, even.

And split time between there and League Two for the two seasons that followed.

 

Hard to believe. A thread title that's actually good. No "Red Baron" here.

 

Starting in the Championship would not be a bad level for a goalie his age next season.

 

No doubt, but the kid is gonna have to slog for years still. The nature of the game, but especially his position.

 

7 saves (6 inside the box) against 1 goal, in 2-1 win over Lincoln City today. Sofascore MOTM.

Off to the opposite start to the season he had in Belgium, albeit at a lower level.

 

From BBC:

'Anything can happen' - 42 players, but do Chelsea have a plan?

 

He's a bit behind in LEague one.

Would prefer the Ered, Belgium top league, or Championship.

 

It’s fine for his age to be the starter in League One. It’s not going to help his national team chances in the short term, but career wise it’s a perfectly acceptable landing spot. I’d be more concerned if five years from now he’s still starting in League One.

 

Starts:

REDS 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7Q9vNglJA6

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) August 24, 2024

 

Ugh. Through 70 minutes, looked aces with a 2-0 lead. Then concedes two in six minutes on the way to a 2-2 draw. Lowest rated player player on the team, 1.52 xGOT, three saves.

 

Named Player of the Round for the Carabao Cup:

🙌 @GabrielSlonina is the winner of the Player of the Round award for the @Carabao_Cup first round!

Award-winning debut with the Reds! ❤️🏆

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) August 26, 2024

 

Hopefully won't need to be the player of the round again, but we'll see. Pines also starting against Sheffield United, EFL Cup match.

 

Clean sheet and 4 saves in a 1-0 Barnsley win.

Sheffield United did not have their shooting boots on today - 0.19 xGOT on 0.89 xG, hit the woodwork twice.

 

If he’s in League One in five years I won’t be worried at all. We’ll have correctly moved on to other options for the National team and his career will be of no concern to anyone but his family, friends, and teammates.

 

Look at bro, he’s killing it. Nice little move.

 

"Slonina: Nervy moment when USA colleague Trusty headed ball out of his hands in final quarter, but ‘goal’ was disallowed. Made some key late saves amid onslaught. 8"

 

Honestly…he’s a tiny baby in Goalie Years. We can all see the talent. Let the kid develop and let’s put aside our expectations.