Kendry Páez is facing another career upheaval as Chelsea prepares to offload the Ecuadorian midfielder following a loan spell at River Plate, La Pagina Millonaria reported. Purchased for 20 million euros in 2023 after bursting onto the professional scene at age 15 with Independiente del Valle, the 19-year-old has struggled to replicate that early promise in international football.

Chelsea Relegates Páez to Under-21 Squad After River Exit

Following his return to London, Páez has been assigned to Chelsea’s Under-21 team, where he has accumulated five appearances and one assist. According to information shared by journalist Nicoló Schira, the Premier League club will seek a permanent sale or another loan deal, mirroring previous temporary moves to Racing Strasbourg and River Plate. Ecuadorian sports commentator Chobo Álvarez noted on social media that the player and his entourage must reassess the details and errors that have impacted his trajectory, stating that the Stamford Bridge train may have already passed for the midfielder.

Contrasting Domestic Output With International Struggles

Since departing Independiente del Valle in 2025, Páez has tallied just two goals and two assists across 40 total matches encompassing his stints with Racing Strasbourg, River Plate, and the Chelsea youth side, as reported by El Futbolero. That output yields an average of 0.10 goal contributions per match, highlighting the difficulties of his transition to European and Argentine club competition. Those statistics stand in sharp contrast to the meteoric rise that prompted Chelsea’s substantial investment three years prior.

Xabi Alonso Confirms First-Team Omission Following World Cup Return

The midfielder’s path back to Stamford Bridge was sealed after an underwhelming spell in Buenos Aires. Brought in at the start of 2026 as a specific request by then-manager Marcelo Gallardo, Páez managed 14 appearances, one goal, and one assist under Gallardo and Eduardo Coudet before River cut his 18-month loan short on August 29, 2026, as detailed by Soy Del Millo. After logging a mere 11 minutes across one appearance for Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup, Páez returned to Argentina to train apart from the senior squad until his return to England was finalized. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso stated that the player is not part of the first-team plans, leaving the youngster under contract until June 2033 to find a buyer as transfer windows close.

Contract Clauses and Open Transfer Markets Narrow Options

Chelsea activated its first-half escape clause to terminate the 18-month agreement early because Páez failed to reach 50 percent of official appearances during the initial semester. While Blackburn Rovers, Celtic, and Trabzonspor were mentioned as potential destinations without concrete progress, open competitions in Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Greece, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates remain available. English league regulations limit clubs to six overseas loans, but Páez is exempt from this restriction due to being 21 or younger. Before departing, the player published a farewell message stating, Hoy termina una etapa importante para mí. Me llevo muchas experiencias, aprendizajes y momentos que me van a servir para todo lo que viene en mi carrera.