The thought process behind Kendry Paez’s loan to River Plate was that the Ecuadorian would get more game time with River Plate, than he managed at Strasbourg.
Bought from Ecuadorian giants Independiente Del Valle in the summer of 2023, Paez eventually moved to Chelsea last summer. The playmaker had to wait until he was 18 years of age before crossing the border.
He did so last summer, instantly being sent on loan to sister club Strasbourg where he worked with Liam Rosenior in the first half of the season. Paez was used regularly by Rosenior, but mostly as a substitute.
Chelsea have got it ALL WRONG with Kendry Paez 👇
He should have joined an English club on loan…
Chelsea decided, following Rosenior’s exit, that recalling Paez would be in the midfielder’s interests and would help him find a different club where he would get game time. Chelsea sent him on loan to River.
It saw him return to South America, joining a side that has been underperforming for a while. But it is not going to plan for Paez, who has managed just three appearances since completing a second loan.
Kendry Paez snubbed again as River Plate fail to win
Paez was not even included in the squad for his first two games, due to a lack of fitness. A decision made by River icon Marcelo Gallardo, who has left the Argentine giants and has been temporarily replaced.
Chelsea loanee Kendry Páez in action during his River Plate debut against Argentinos Juniors.
Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images
His debut came as a 19-minute sub against Argentinos Juniors, resulting in a 1-0 loss. Then, an unused sub, before Paez came on against Velez Sarsfield at half-time, only to be subbed off again due to injury.
Paez then played 26 minutes in River’s first win of the season, Gallardo’s last game, a 3-1 win over Banfield. But last night, River lost 1-0 to Independiente Rivadavia, and Paez was left unused on the bench.
That means Paez has managed just three appearances from a possible seven. He’s yet to start for River, and in one of those three outings, he’s been subbed on and subbed off. Things are not going to plan.
There is no doubt that Paez is a real talent. A player who convinced Chelsea to spend the best part of £20m on him at just 16 years of age. But Paez is struggling to show that at Strasbourg and now River.
What are you doing with Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea fans?
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates with gold medal after Conference League final vs Real Betis
Photo by Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Argentine media said, after Paez’s debut, that he did little to make an impact. Now, Argentine outlet Bolavip say actually, Paez has impressed when given a chance – even though that has been limited.
The latest snub will come as more frustration for Chelsea, and for Paez, who really needs game time to get him firing, not only to prove his worth, but to get him ready for Ecuador’s World Cup campaign.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox