Photo by Franklin Jacome/Agencia Press South/Getty Images
Photo by Franklin Jacome/Agencia Press South/Getty Images
Chelsea have a wealth of young talents with all the potential in the world. Moments before the loss to Arsenal, the club confirmed the signing of Denner, while Kendry Paez has returned.
Before the most recent window, BlueCo invested heavily in their academy options. It means Chelsea are still adding players that were previously signed. Benji Flowers, for example, will join Chelsea in three years.
Chelsea have to wait another three years for Flowers because he is 15. Clubs cannot sign players from overseas teams until they turn 18, and it was the same case for the £17m addition of Kendry Paez.
Chelsea signed Paez for £17m back in 2023 when he was still 16, from the famed Ecuadorian conveyor belt Independiente Del Valle. But things have not gone to plan for the teen, who is back at Chelsea.
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Paez is getting the wrong advice, says his former coach
The teenager is back at Chelsea after two loan spells during 2025-26, the latter of which was expected to last for another 12 months. His time at River Plate has not gone to plan, but a new loan wasn’t found.
According to Jorge Celico, who coached Paez while he was in Ecuador’s U17 side, believes he has been pushed too far, too quickly. He told El Universo that the Chelsea talent is not being afforded patience.
Ecuador v Germany: Group E - FIFA World Cup 2026
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“In my opinion, Kendry isn’t getting good advice. He has the talent; I coached him in the U17s. Technically, he’s very good and has excellent vision. He’s a player who’s going to break out; he has so much talent.
“It was a mistake to skip steps with him; he didn’t play for the under-20 team in the World Cup. That means skipping stages you should complete in your development,” Celico continued over the weekend.
Which clubs wanted to sign Paez at the end of the window?
Paez returned to Chelsea six months into an 18-month loan spell at River Plate towards the end of the window, after he was spotted training in the bomb squad with the Argentine side. He’s back at Chelsea.
Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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It was expected that Paez would leave Chelsea on loan for a third time, having spent the first half of last season with Strasbourg under Liam Rosenior. Celtic were linked with taking Paez north of the border.
Turkish side Trabzonspor have also been linked. But the Turkish window is closed, and Celtic have signed Landon Emenalo and Shim Mheuka on loan instead of Paez. For now, he’s with Chelsea’s CNG squad.