Chelsea are weighing up future options for Kendry Paez as the January transfer window approaches, following the young player's failure to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old Ecuador international was hailed as one of South America's brightest talents when Chelsea secured his transfer from Independiente del Valle in 2023. He made the move to the London club in 2025, but his progress has since hit a snag, and he is yet to make his first senior appearance. The club’s hierarchy are dissatisfied with the current situation and are open to offloading the player.
Failed loan spells
Last summer, Chelsea sent Paez off to Strasbourg in the hope he could acclimatise to European football. Unfortunately, the attacking midfielder managed just one goal in 21 appearances, totting up 718 minutes on the pitch.
The loan was cut short in January, leading to a transfer to River Plate. However, things didn’t improve in Argentina, with the youngster only providing one goal and one assist across 14 matches. Although the deal was intended to last until the end of the year, River Plate terminated it in August due to Paez’s lacklustre form and off-field issues.
Searching for a solution in the January window
Back at Chelsea, Paez has primarily featured for the under-21s, contributing one assist in five matches, as head coach Xabi Alonso has not included him in his main plans for the season. Former coach Jorge Selico has noted that while Paez possesses immense potential and excellent vision, he requires proper guidance and regular game time to develop further.
Chelsea is keen to recoup their investment and is hoping to command a fee exceeding 20 million euros should they decide on a full sale. Alternatively, they are considering a loan move to a Championship club to help him adapt to the physical demands of English football, or a return to South America to rebuild his confidence.
