What Has Gone Wrong for Chelsea Prospect Kendry Paez?

Paez has already established a reputation for setting records and attracting attention.

At just 15, he became the youngest player to appear and score in Ecuador’s top division. Later that season, he also made his Copa Libertadores debut in South America’s leading club competition.

In 2023, at 16 years and 131 days old, he earned his second Ecuador appearance and became the second-youngest South American footballer to play in a World Cup qualifier, behind Diego Maradona.

One month later, he set another record by becoming the youngest South American scorer in World Cup qualifying as Ecuador secured a 2-1 victory in Bolivia.

Given those achievements, it was easy to see why Chelsea expected a bright future for the attacker, who had registered two goals in 18 international appearances when the agreement to sign him was reached.

Before he could officially join after turning 18, Chelsea regularly invited him to train with their senior squad.

The club also arranged protection for Paez and his relatives, as well as the family of Ecuador teammate Moises Caicedo, following an outbreak of violence in Ecuador in early 2024.

Several months later, footage emerged of Paez visiting a strip club in New York while representing his country.

He made a promising start during his loan at Chelsea-affiliated Strasbourg, earning the French top flight’s Young Player of the Month prize for September. His performances later drew criticism from then-manager Liam Rosenior.

Rosenior said later in the campaign that the club clearly needed more from Paez and that his age could no longer be repeatedly used as justification.

Although Strasbourg and Chelsea operate under the same ownership group, the temporary move ended early after Paez scored once in 21 matches. He subsequently agreed to spend two years on loan with Argentine powerhouse River Plate.

People familiar with the situation in Argentina also raised questions about his attitude, pointing in particular to his underwhelming performance during April’s 1-0 Superclasico loss to Boca Juniors at the Monumental.

Soon afterward, club president Stefano Di Carlo identified Paez as one of 15 players training separately from River Plate’s senior squad, though some observers believed he deserved additional chances.

Paez’s loan was terminated by mutual agreement after he recorded one goal across 14 appearances and 461 minutes for River Plate.

Before the international break, worries were growing in Ecuador, where he had been presented as the nation’s next major attacking prospect.

Independiente owner Michel Deller told Hincha Amarillo that the club regards Paez like family and remains deeply concerned about his wellbeing.

Deller described him as a good young man who has endured difficult circumstances and made choices that created further problems in his life.

He added that everyone still hopes Paez will rediscover and display his outstanding ability, but stressed that the player must now determine his own path.

Chelsea and those close to Paez do not entirely reject the concerns. However, they believe the criticism has been greatly exaggerated and argue that he needs time to mature both as a footballer and as an individual.