Kendry Paez plays for Chelsea Under-21s after troubled loan spells
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 6:34 AM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez made his long-awaited debut for Chelsea's Under-21 team as a substitute in a recent match against Arsenal. Three years after Chelsea signed Paez from Independiente del Valle, the 19-year-old has struggled to establish himself in the first team, prompting concerns about his development. Recently, new manager Xabi Alonso indicated that Paez was not included in his plans, leading to a reclassification of the player to academy status. Previous loan spells in France and Argentina ended without significant impact, raising questions about his future at Chelsea.
- •Kendry Paez debuted with Chelsea Under-21s against Arsenal
- •He joined Chelsea in 2023 for £17.27m as a 16-year-old
- •Paez's loan at Strasbourg was cut short after 21 appearances
- •He had a disappointing spell at River Plate, scoring once in 14 matches
- •Concerns about Paez's commitment have been raised by various sources
- 6:34 AMYahoo Sports — Can Chelsea salvage Paez's career?
- 2:05 PMBBC Sport — What's gone wrong for Chelsea talent Kendry Paez?
"Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge - albeit for the club's under-21 side. Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 when he was 16, but his development has not progressed as quickly as many expected. Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club's newly-renamed Under-21 side, as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 win away to Arsenal on Saturday.
"Kendry Paez was one of the world's best young talents when Chelsea signed him as a 16-year-old. Three years later, he's playing for the Under-21s. So what has gone wrong?
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 6:34 AMCan Chelsea salvage Paez's career?
Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge - albeit for the club's under-21 side. Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 when he was 16, but his development has not progressed as quickly as many expected. Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club's newly-renamed Under-21 side, as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 win away to Arsenal on Saturday.
- BBC SportSep 16, 2026, 2:05 PMWhat's gone wrong for Chelsea talent Kendry Paez?
Kendry Paez was one of the world's best young talents when Chelsea signed him as a 16-year-old. Three years later, he's playing for the Under-21s. So what has gone wrong?
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