Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images
Kendry Paez is not currently in Xabi Alonso’s plans as a first team player at Chelsea, meaning he is having to earn his stripes as part of the academy setup at Cobham.
Since being signed as one of the most promising youngsters in world football, things have not worked out for Paez yet and he is in danger of falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge for good.
Loan spells at Strasbourg and River Plate have now been cut short, and the Ecuador international now finds himself having to work his way back up the ladder as part of Cobham Next Gen.
Wycombe Wanderers v Chelsea U21 - Vertu Trophy
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Kendry Paez makes his mark for Cobham Next Gen
Paez was accused of being too relaxed in his debut last week, however picked up an assist as he came off the bench for the 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy.
The teenager delivered an assist in the 90th minute for Harrison Bettoni, with the young Blues missing a number of big names from their starting side.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Watson and Olutayo Subuloye were amongst the youngsters who were not involved, after they all impressed in a 4-1 win against Arsenal at the weekend.
Enzo Fernandez for Man City
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All of these individuals are hungry for first team opportunities, but none of them have the worldwide recognition that Paez had before he even joined Chelsea.
You do not earn 27 international caps before you even turn 20 years of age through luck, and it is clear that he has both immense talent and potential.
However, if he is going to make it at the top level in West London he is going to have to turn his attitude around and earn it the hard way. His road to the first team is underway, and he will now be looking to build on his first assist for Cobham Next Gen in future games.