Kendry Paez, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder from Ecuador, made his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt during a recent Under-21 match against Arsenal. The game ended in a 4-1 victory for Chelsea, with Paez coming on as a substitute. Paez was signed by Chelsea from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in 2023 for £17.27 million, but his development has not progressed as quickly as expected. New manager Xabi Alonso has stated that Paez is "not in my plans," and the club lists him as an academy player on its website. Chelsea had explored the possibility of loaning Paez to an English club, but Fifa regulations prevented them from doing so after they used all six of their available international loan slots. Paez has 27 caps for Ecuador, including an appearance at this summer's World Cup, and is considered one of South America's most promising young talents. He holds several records, including being the youngest debutant and goalscorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history at 15 and the second-youngest South American to play in World Cup qualifying after Diego Maradona. Chelsea allowed Paez to train with the first team before he officially joined the club at 18 and provided security for him and his family after violent protests in Ecuador in early 2024. However, Paez was later seen in a New York strip club while on international duty, which raised concerns about his behavior. Initially, he impressed on loan at Strasbourg, winning the Young Player of the Month award in September, but criticism arose from the club's manager, who said, "We expect more, clearly." Paez's loan at Strasbourg was cut short after just one goal in 21 appearances, and he subsequently joined River Plate in Argentina on a two-year loan. Sources in Argentina expressed similar concerns about his attitude, citing a poor performance in a crucial match against Boca Juniors. His loan at River Plate ended by mutual agreement after one goal in 14 appearances. Despite these challenges, there is still belief in Paez's potential, with some suggesting he needs more time to mature as a player and a person. In a recent Under-21 match, Paez showed glimpses of his talent with a late assist that nearly led to a goal. While he was not a central figure in the game, his presence was noted. Paez has already made over 100 senior appearances, including 70 for Independiente del Valle, which provides a solid foundation for his development. With family support and a stable environment at Chelsea's academy, there is optimism that Paez can regain his form and secure a loan move in England or abroad in the coming months. His journey is far from over, and many still believe in his potential to fulfill the immense promise that first brought him to the attention of European football.