Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Chelsea might have got rid of a small army of players in the summer, but there are a handful that remain at Stamford Bridge without any hope of game time – and one example is Kendry Paez.
Bought by Chelsea in the summer of 2023 from Ecuadorian side Independiente Del Valle, there was plenty of hype around Paez. The selling club are renowned for producing talent, such as Moises Caicedo.
He finally moved to Chelsea when 18, joining Strasbourg on loan last summer and then to River Plate. The loan to River was supposed to last 18 months, but he has returned to Chelsea after just six months.
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What Xabi Alonso said about Kendry Paez in press conference
Chelsea tried to find a new club for Paez before the end of the window, with the Ecuadorian linked with a move to Celtic. However, Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo have gone north of the border instead.
Xabi Alonso of Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Speaking in a recent press conference, Alonso was asked about Paez and if he would be included in the first team at Chelsea: “At the moment, he’s not part of the first-team squad. He’s not part of the plans.”
Fabrizio Romano details update on Kendry Paez’s situation
The £17m signing is in limbo, and Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update: “River Plate sent Kendry Páez back to Chelsea because at some point they were not happy with that attitude of the boy in training.
“There have been issues and problems. Xabi said he’s not part of plans for now. Chelsea is trying to find a solution. They want him to play and develop. My feeling is Chelsea are trying to find a different solution.”
Are there any transfer windows that remain open for Paez?
Interestingly, Paez could still leave Chelsea, nine days after the English window shut. Only the window of the buying club needs to remain open, and both the Saudi Arabian and Portuguese windows are active.
Kendry Paez of Chelsea FC looks on
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
The Portuguese window is ongoing until September 15, while Saudi Pro League sides can sign players right up until October 12. If Paez was to go, it would have to be a permanent sale before the deadlines.
Chelsea have already used up their six international loan spots in Jesse Derry, Benoit Badiashile, Robert Sanchez, Dario Essugo, Filip Jorgensen and Mamadou Sarr. Paez would have to be sold permanently.