Joining River Plate on loan in January, Kendry Paez will have been delighted. A return to South America for the Chelsea talent, and the chance to play for a gigantic football club.
The 18-year-old has officially been on the books at Chelsea since the summer of 2025, but a £17m deal was agreed for the Ecuador international almost three years ago. Chelsea landed Paez when he was 16.
For the first two seasons following his agreed move to Chelsea, Paez remained at his boyhood club Independiente Del Valle. Finally arriving at Chelsea last summer, he went on loan to Strasbourg.
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But having played a bit-part role under Liam Rosenior, he returned to Chelsea in January before being sent to River Plate for the remainder of the season. It was hoped it would give him more game time.
However, injury and a lack of rhythm have meant that what was supposed to help Paez is quickly turning into a nightmare decision by both Chelsea and Paez. On Sunday night, Paez was snubbed once again.
What happened on Sunday as Kendry Paez snubbed again
Under Rosenior during the first half of the season, Paez played 21 times for Strasbourg. He was not used on seven occasions and only managed seven starts under the now-Chelsea boss. He needed a change.
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That move to River seemed to make sense. A return to South America, preparing Paez to play for a huge club with an enormous and expectant fanbase. There are obvious similarities with his parent club.
Paez could have played in 11 games for River since his move. He missed the first two due to a lack of fitness and has gone on to play just five times, only twice from the start, with River also changing boss.
On Sunday, River Plate beat Belgrano 3-0 as new manager Edouard Coudet continues to improve a side struggling under Marcelo Gallardo beforehand. But Paez was left on the bench for a second time in a row.
Edouard Coudet’s appointment was supposed to help Paez
In Coudet’s first match, Paez was thrown into the starting line-up. It came after managing just three sub appearances in six games under Gallardo. Argentine media said Coudet’s arrival could help Paez.
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He started the next game, too. But after going off at half-time with a knock against Sarmiento Junin, Paez has failed to play another minute for River, being left on the bench twice in a row by manager Coudet.
This season has been a nightmare for Paez. Struggling to play football, starting a total of just nine games for Strasbourg and River Plate. This season was supposed to be about development for the teenager.
Instead, Paez’s development has been stunted due to poor choice of loan club. The £17m investment made by Chelsea in the summer of 2023 is clearly not going to plan, and Paez has plenty left to prove.
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