After a difficult start, Kendry Paez is finally starting to make an impact on loan at River Plate and a secret clause has now emerged in the Chelsea star’s 18-month move to Argentina.
It is approaching three years since Chelsea completed a deal to sign Paez from Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador. At the time, Paez was still 16 and that meant a deal would not go through until he turned 18.
Eventually, a deal in the region of £17m was confirmed and Paez became a Chelsea player two years later, at the start of this season. He was immediately shipped out on loan to Strasbourg, under Liam Rosenior.
QUARTER-FINAL 1: Reece James vs Estevao Willian
But the Ecuador star only managed a bit-part role and in January, Chelsea made the decision to remove him from BlueCo’s sister site, sending him on an 18-month loan spell to Argentina with River Plate.
Injuries limited Paez, while former manager Marcelo Gallardo didn’t fancy him. But Eduardo Coudet has given him more of a chance and he is finally starting to prove himself, opening his account last month.
The secret clause Chelsea included in Paez’s River Plate loan
Since joining River Plate, Paez could have been involved in a total of 18 matches in all competitions. So far, he has managed just 10 appearances and only three starts, laying on one goal and one assist.
According to BolaVip, there is a clause in Paez’s loan deal that can see Chelsea cut short his temporary spell in Argentina this summer, just six months into a spell that will is due to last until June 2027.
River Plate v Carabobo - Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Indeed, Paez needs to play over 50% of the minutes he has been available to play. As things stand, the attacker has only featured in 400 minutes of football for River, out of a possible 1640 across 18 games.
That means that Chelsea can recall Paez this summer, if things continue in this manner. However, Paez is finally starting to show some form in a River shirt and those minutes are increasing in recent weeks.
What Eduardo Coudet has said about Kendry Paez recently
Paez has earned criticism from some sections of the River Plate support. In their defence, they were getting a player valued at £17m from a club like Chelsea. The hype, and indeed hope, was palpable.
Is there anyone we are missing?🤔
Chelsea's biggest ever academy mistake
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Yet, River fans have quickly come to realise that Paez is a work in progress and time will need to be afforded to the teenager. Speaking after a win against Huracan, Coudet praised Chelsea’s Paez.
“I saw him play very well, his attitude was great, we have players with good technique. They need to be physical. I’ve said it from the beginning, I like physical teams and they have that ability too.”
With Paez finally scoring his first goal and then getting an assist against Venezuelan side Carabobo in the Copa Sudamericana more recently, Chelsea may opt not to activate the clause in his River Plate loan.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox