Chelsea 'not happy' with player – Blues consider sending him back

Chelsea considering loan move to Championship or sale back to South America for Páez after poor form on loan spells.

Kendry Páez's Chelsea career is in doubt after a difficult spell away from Stamford Bridge. The 19-year-old Ecuador international, signed from Independiente del Valle in 2023 for over €20m, was loaned to Strasbourg last season where he managed one goal in 21 matches. In January, Chelsea cut short that loan and sent him to River Plate, where he scored once and assisted once in 14 games before the Argentine club terminated his loan in August due to poor form and off-pitch issues.

Páez has since been relegated to Chelsea U21s football under manager Xabi Alonso, who has not included him in his first-team plans. The club are reportedly unhappy with his progress and are exploring options to move him on. Chelsea are keeping the door open to send him back to South America permanently or on loan, or alternatively loan him to a Championship club to help him adjust to English football and rebuild his value. His next move will be clarified in the January transfer window.