Chelsea’s Alonso rules out Paez until January, keeping the winger sidelined

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Ecuadorian winger Kendry Paez will not be part of the first‑team squad and will remain on the sidelines until the January transfer window opens, despite the player returning to Stamford Bridge after his loan at River Plate was cut short last month.

Why Chelsea invested in Paez

Chelsea paid £17.3 million for Paez when he moved from Independiente del Valle last summer, signing the 16‑year‑old but only allowing him to join the club at 18. Since completing that move he has never made an appearance for the Blues, remaining on the periphery of the squad. Comments from the Sport article by Samuel Meade, Sports Brand Writer, dated 12:14, 09 Sep 2026, include two Images and a View of the player at Stamford Bridge.

The club tried to off‑load Paez before the transfer deadline day, but failed to secure a new suitor. Consequently he stayed on Chelsea’s books as the window closed, leaving his future unresolved.

Paez spent the first half of last season on loan at Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club, before being sent to River Plate. His spell in Argentina was cut short last month, prompting his return to Stamford Bridge. During his time abroad he never featured for Chelsea’s first team.

Future prospects for the Ecuadorian

ON Tuesday Alonso was asked whether he might use Paez before January and replied: “No, no. He is not part of the plans. At the moment, he is not part of the first team squad.” He added that the club’s focus is on improving the winger’s standards before any move. Potential destinations mentioned include leagues in Mexico, Brazil and Greece, where clubs could take the Ecuadorian if Chelsea push to remove him from the books.

Alonso’s 3‑4‑3 system places unique demands on wide players, with Jorrel Hato and Pedro Neto operating as wing‑backs and Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer supporting the centre‑forward. Additional options such as Jamie Gittens and summer signing Geovany Quenda provide further depth on the flanks, reducing any immediate need for Paez.

For Paez, the January window now represents the most realistic chance of securing regular football elsewhere. For Chelsea, keeping the player on the roster until then allows the club to assess his development without committing first‑team minutes.

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