The final 10 days of the January window are shaping up to be a busy one for Chelsea and Liam Rosenior as the Blues look to get a deal done for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.
But that’s not the only order of business expected at Stamford Bridge, with Rosenior and the transfer team looking to sort the futures of many players currently out on loan, or not getting game time.
Rosenior himself provided updates on both Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling, with the former now back in the mix following a hamstring injury to Tosin. Conversations are being held with Sterling over his future.
DISCUSS: Raheem Sterling shines in Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea side… 🧩
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Leverkusen want Filip Jorgensen, while a third January exit is on the cards with Ipswich set to sign teen talent Frankie Runham. Then, there are a couple of out-on-loan players who require a decision.
Kendry Paez impressed Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neil
Ecuadorian talent Paez, 18, has struggled for game time this season, mostly under Liam Rosenior. Less than 800 minutes of action has been afforded to the £17m Chelsea recruit in the first half of the season.
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Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea are due to make a decision on Paez “next week”. Some suggestions have been that Paez returns to Chelsea before being sent on loan to an English club before the deadline.
But if Gary O’Neil has any influence, it might be that he prefers to keep Paez at Strasbourg. Indeed, Ben Jacobs reports on Instagram that the new Strasbourg gaffer has been left impressed by Paez’s attitude.
“Paez continues to focus on Strasbourg even though a winter recall to his loan from Chelsea is on the cards. Paez has impressed manager Gary O’Neil with his professionalism and looked focused in training.”
English club for Kendry Paez suits all, including Raheem Sterling
Paez’s attitude may be excellent, but he would surely prefer to be playing more football, and perhaps a loan to an English side, likely to be in the Championship, would surely suit the 23-time Ecuador star.
Kendry Paez’s Strasbourg loan gets cancelled. What do you do with him, now?
He's miles off the Chelsea squad at the moment…
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It would suit Chelsea, because the Blues can get him prepared for English football and make him more robust. It allows Chelsea fans to get excited by Paez and allows the player to earn some momentum.
But also, it gives Sterling more options. Currently, Chelsea have six players on loan at foreign clubs, with Paez one of those. FIFA does not permit more than six loans abroad, preventing Sterling from a move.
Sterling would rather remain in England, but Napoli are interested in the England star. He will want all options available to him, and if Paez returns, it will allow Sterling to go on loan to the Serie A giants.
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