Add as preferred source on Google Kendry Paez was one of a handful of players who swapped clubs while remaining under the Chelsea umbrella during January, seeing his Strasbourg loan cancelled and joining River Plate on loan.
Much like Mamadou Sarr, David Datro Fofana, Aaron Anselmino, and plenty of other players on the books at Chelsea, clubs were changed for them during January. Anselmino and Fofana are now at Strasbourg.
But for teenage attacker Kendry Paez, the Ecuador star’s loan with the Ligue 1 side was cancelled having spent the first half of the campaign under the guidance of Liam Rosenior. He has since joined River Plate.
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Before his first start…
With legendary River manager Marcelo Gallardo in the hotseat, Paez struggled to get game time. He had only featured in three of seven River Plate games, and in the three he did play, he came on only as a sub.
In one of those outings, against current leaders Velez Sarsfield, Paez was subbed off after coming on due to a shoulder injury. But the sacking of Gallardo looks to have benefitted Paez, as per Argentine media.
According to TyC Sports, Paez is going to become a ‘favourite’ of new manager Eduardo Coudet. It comes after Paez started in River’s last game, a solid 2-1 away win over Huracán, who are tough to break down.
Paez might not have yet opened his account or laid on an assist for River, but he is about to win a whole lot more game time in River colours. River take on Club Atletico Sarmiento late on Sunday evening.
It’s about time, ahead of a key summer for Paez
When Paez returns, he will have spent two years out on loan after initially signing for Chelsea back in the summer of 2024. His first season on the Stamford Bridge books saw him return to his boyhood club.
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Independiente del Valle, Strasbourg, and now River. A decision will have to be made on the attacker and if he is aiming to impress Rosenior, he needs the game time, the platform to show what he is capable of.
Not only that, but he needs game time to show he deserves to be in Ecuador’s World Cup squad. To be fresh to play alongside Moises Caicedo and shine in what many deem as the tournament’s dark horses.
For now, Paez will just be hoping he is named in the starting line-up in the second time and if so, he can get his name on the score sheet. With Facundo Collidio banned, he has every chance of starting again.
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