Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that midfielder Kendry Paez is not part of the club's first-team plans, leaving the 19-year-old to join the Under-21 squad after failing to secure a domestic loan move before the English transfer deadline. Speaking to the BBC, Alonso clarified the player's immediate status at Stamford Bridge, stating: "No, no. He is not part of the plans. At the moment, he is not part of the first-team squad." The decision marks a significant setback for the Ecuadorian international, who joined the club from Independiente del Valle in 2023 in a deal worth £17.3m but has yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues.
Loan restrictions and open market options
According to reports from the Mirror and BBC Sport, Chelsea's attempts to find a temporary domestic destination for Paez in the Premier League or Championship before the English window closed were unsuccessful. A temporary move abroad is also currently blocked, as Chelsea have exhausted their final overseas loan allocations on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (Como 1907) and midfielder Dario Essugo (Strasbourg). However, Paez could still secure a departure to leagues where the transfer window remains open, including Turkey, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Brazil. From an accounting perspective, Chelsea would need to recoup at least £15m in any permanent sale to avoid a significant amortisation loss on their books.
Under-21 integration and prior loan struggles
For now, Paez is expected to train and play with Chelsea's Under-21 side, known as Cobham Next Gen, while his future is resolved. As reported by Football London, the teenager's career has stalled following a brief loan spell at Strasbourg and a subsequent temporary stint at River Plate, which was terminated early after just 10 appearances. While Paez previously won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month award with Strasbourg, his development has been hampered by concerns regarding his work ethic and off-field conduct. Chelsea are expected to focus on the player's welfare and rehabilitation within the academy structure ahead of the January transfer window.
