Chelsea could already be approaching a big decision on young winger Kendry Páez.
Fresh reports from South America suggests the youngster may have played his final matches for River Plate before the Club World Cup and World Cup period reshape his future.
The 19-year-old Ecuadorian is going through another complicated stop in his development path.
And now, for the first time, Argentine media are openly discussing the possibility that his time at River could effectively end after the World Cup.
Could he be playing his final match for River?
That is the question raised this week by Olé Ecuador after Eduardo Coudet brought Páez back into the squad for River’s Copa Sudamericana clash with Blooming.
The report frames the situation as increasingly uncertain.
Páez arrived at River with the clear objective of rebuilding momentum after Chelsea bought him and then sent him to Strasbourg, where he played 21 matches but spent most of the campaign as a substitute.
However, Olé points out his numbers in Argentina have actually been worse than in France.
The midfielder has managed 461 minutes across 14 appearances for River. While he initially started games under Coudet, he gradually lost ground before even dropping out of several matchday squads, including against Gimnasia LP and Rosario Central.
Last weekend he was reduced to only a brief late cameo in River’s defeat to Belgrano in the league final.
That growing lack of continuity is now feeding real uncertainty around the loan.
Chelsea can still change plans after the World Cup
Previous reports in Argentina focused heavily on a recall clause linked to minutes played. However, the newest information suggests the situation is more flexible than initially believed.
According to Ecuatorianos Del Exterior, Páez has actually already reached the required amount of minutes to extend his stay at River until December.
Even so, Chelsea still retain a special clause allowing them to bring him back after the World Cup.
The debate is no longer simply about whether he has played enough. Instead, it is becoming a broader strategic decision about what Chelsea want to do with one of their biggest young investments.
Xabi Alonso angle emerges
There is also another important detail emerging from Ecuador. Both reports claim Chelsea could reassess Páez directly as part of the sporting project now led by Xabi Alonso.
If Páez impresses for Ecuador during the World Cup or in the preparation matches beforehand, Chelsea could choose to integrate him more closely into the club’s long-term plans rather than continue the current River arrangement.
Another option would be a fresh European loan.
At this stage, River are not giving up entirely on keeping him. However, the reports suggest his reduced role in recent weeks has made that scenario increasingly complicated.
Second difficult loan in a row
From Chelsea’s perspective, there is an uncomfortable pattern.
The original Strasbourg loan failed to provide the continuity many expected. Now, despite flashes of quality at River – including a goal and an assist in recent weeks – the Argentine spell has also become unstable.
However, a strong tournament with Ecuador could completely change the conversation around Páez. Equally, another difficult few months could push Chelsea toward another loan rethink.
Either way, the latest reports suggest River no longer feel guaranteed to keep him beyond the summer.
And after two loans that have struggled to fully click, Chelsea may soon have another major development decision to make on Kendry Páez.