Chelsea are ready to send £12m keeper Gabriel Slonina on loan already following Kepa’s resurgence in goal

CHELSEA are ready to loan back-up goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina on loan amid Kepa Arrizabalaga resurgence.

Once a laughingstock at Stamford Bridge, the Spain keeper made a string of high-profile errors following his big move in 2018.

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The goalkeeper briefly made a name for himself as a penalty expert before an unfortunate incident in last season’s League Cup final ridiculed him again.

But he has experienced a sudden return to form after returning from the Chelsea bench.

An injury to the out-of-form Edouard Mendy opened the door for Kepa to return.

And while his opening performances were consistent, Kepa heralded his return with a stunning string of saves against Villa.

His form has kept Mendy on the bench and means Chelsea have two capable goalkeepers ready to rotate during the busy schedule leading up to the World Cup.

The Evening Standard report that there is now the possibility of another loan for Slonina amid Kepa’s upturn in form.

The young American goalkeeper signed a six-year contract in August and was one of several summer signings.

Despite being highly rated, the 18-year-old will find it difficult to maintain a starting spot when he returns from loan to MLS in January.

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He trained with the first team under Graham Potter for the first time this week during a trip to London.

The club are believed to be exploring loan options in the Championship or in Europe.

Slonina wants to be in the US squad for the World Cup and is looking to impress in his final months at the Chicago Fire.

Kepa is also on a mission to work his way up into his international squad for Qatar.

The Spaniard’s recent form should have done him many favors as his performance against Villa was followed by decent saves in draws against Brentford and Manchester United.