Chelsea appear to have settled on the next step for Kendry Páez, with another loan expected after the World Cup. The club continue searching for the right environment for the Ecuadorian’s development, and Ipswich Town could provide it.
After difficult spells at Strasbourg and River Plate, the 19-year-old is not expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2026-27 season. Instead, attention has already shifted towards his next destination.
While Atlético Mineiro remain in the picture, a newly-promoted Premier League club has also emerged as a potential option.
Chelsea already looking at the next move
According to reports from Bolavip Ecuador, Chelsea have decided Páez will head out on loan again. But that will only happen once he returns from international duty.
The midfielder remains under a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, but another temporary move is viewed as the best solution after a frustrating first year in Europe.
His spell at Strasbourg failed to provide regular football. Meanwhile, River Plate opted to end his loan early after deciding he no longer formed part of Eduardo Coudet’s plans. So Chelsea are now looking for a fresh start.
Ipswich Town offer an intriguing alternative
Ipswich Town
This latest reports name three clubs interested in Páez.
Atlético Mineiro continue to assess a move after the player’s representatives offered him to the Brazilian club. Discussions are still at an early stage. Belgian side KV Mechelen have also been credited with interest. The standout name, however, is Ipswich Town.
Having just secured promotion back to the Premier League, Ipswich could offer Chelsea something neither Strasbourg nor River could. It is the chance for Páez to begin adapting to English football without the immediate pressure of breaking into Chelsea’s own squad.
For a player who is eventually expected to build a career in England, spending a season in the Premier League could represent a very different development pathway. This would be unlike another move elsewhere in Europe or South America.
Whether Ipswich would be able to guarantee the minutes Chelsea are looking for remains another question, but the sporting logic behind such a move is easy to see.
The Blues invested around €23m (£19.6m) in Páez believing they had signed one of South America’s brightest prospects. After loans at Strasbourg and River failed to produce the expected progress, the next move feels like the most significant of his young career so far.