Chelsea considering letting talented teenager leave on loan

Edouard Mendy could make a return to the Chelsea starting line up on Tuesday evening as Graham Potter’s side travel to Austria to face RB Salzburg. 

The Austrian side currently sit second in Group E, behind leaders Chelsea, who could secure top spot with a win.

Chelsea have turned things around since the opening weeks of the competition when, following a defeat to Dinamo Zagreb and a draw with Salzburg, The Blues looked to be facing an uphill task to qualify from the group.

Now, after wins against AC Milan both in London and Italy, Potter’s side are in control.

Mendy is yet to start a game under the new manager, with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s sensational form keeping the Senegal international on the bench.

Kepa has kept five clean sheets in his last six matches, and produced a string of sensational saves against Aston Villa last week.

Potter could opt to rotate his goalkeeping options, though, in order to give the Spaniard a rest before their trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Now, it appears that Chelsea could consider sending another of their crop of ‘keepers out on loan.

Slonina has been training with Chelsea

According to The Evening Standard, The Blues are weighing up loan options for 18-year-old Gabriel Slonina.

The teenager joined Chelsea from MLS side Chicago Fire over the summer but remained in the US on loan until the end of their season.

Now though, the player has travelled to London and has trained with the club for the first time, alongside both Kepa and Mendy.

It leaves Potter and his staff with a decision to make, as the £12 million man has reportedly attracted interest from a number of clubs.

The report claims that there is interest from Europe as well as the Championship, while a return to Chicago could also be on the cards.

Slonina’s superb from over the past 12 months prompted Chelsea to sign the player, with the American having kept 12 clean sheets in 32 games during the recent MLS campaign.

The teenager has a chance of being included in the USA squad for the upcoming World Cup – despite having not yet been handed his senior debut – which means that Chelsea are in no rush to decide his immediate future.

As well as Kepa and Mendy, Potter also has former Fulham ‘keeper Marcus Bettinelli at his disposal, although the Englishman has only made one appearance for The Blues since making the short trip across west London last summer.