Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez has started to show signs of progress during his loan spell at River Plate, The Ecuadorian player contributed his first goal since arriving in Argentina.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who hails from Chelsea, recorded an assist against Sarmiento at the weekend. It was his first direct involvement in a goal since joining River earlier this year, following a difficult start to life in Europe.
The London club invested heavily in Paez as one of South America's brightest prospects. Now they are keeping a close eye on the effort to recreate the momentum in Buenos Aires.
Chelsea's plans after Strasbourg affair
Chelsea agreed a deal worth around €23m (£19.6m) for Kendry Paez when he was a teenager at Independiente del Valle. The plan was always long term.
However, his first European experience proved complicated. After reaching England, he was sent to Strasbourg, part of the Bluco network.
The midfielder played 21 matches there, seven as a starter, scoring once. Yet he never fully established himself, and Chelsea surprisingly decided to recall him Before the loan has completed its entire term.
The River Plate then emerged as the next stage in the development plan. The Argentine club secured the young player on an 18-month loan, while Chelsea retained recall rights in the transfer window during the deal.
First glimpse - and first help
Since arriving, Kendry Paez has been added to the team. In his early appearances he has played just over 200 minutes, mostly rotating between substitute outings and first starts. chelsea player had shoulder injury last month, but his recovery was rapid as he gradually returned to the starting eleven.
In that respect, the numbers show a player still adapting to the rhythms of Argentine football.
They have created an average of almost one chance per 90 minutes and attempted three shots in total so far. His passing accuracy has fluctuated between 59% and the mid-70s, reflecting the risk-heavy nature of his game.
This risk was evident in his first start for River, when he played 88 minutes against Huracán.
At the start of the match he produced a nutmeg down the right and made a diagonal run that drew away the defenders, opening up space for Gonzalo Montiel to assist Sebastián Druisi.
However, the game also shed light on the adjustment process. Paez completed 13 of 22 passes (59%), blocked one shot, won three of seven duels, recorded one recovery and one interception, and lost possession 17 times.
| league stats 2026 | |
|---|---|
| appearances | 5 |
| started | 2 |
| minutes per game | 41 |
| total minutes played | 205 |
Nevertheless, River manager Eduardo Coudet saw encouraging signs in the Ecuadorian's role within the team.
"I watched him very well from a game and attitude point of view," Caudet told the local newspaper hail. "We have players with good technique, but we need them to be physical. I said from the beginning, I like physical teams."
The coach then explained why he decided to start Chelsea's side. "His selection is linked to the fact that I want to reclaim my game."
Coudet believes that the midfielder provides a different balance than using a second striker.
"Because he plays more as a midfielder than as a second forward, he generates more combination play"he explained. "We can link up better. When you go with a second striker you are more direct. And we need to fix our game. We generate a lot. In my mind he comes first. I have seen him well."
River pressure is being seen as a real challenge
Those who worked closely with Kendry Paez early in his career believe the river environment may be exactly what he needs.
Diego Martínez, one of the coaches who helped develop him with the youth teams of Independiente del Valle and Ecuador, sees the move to the Argentine as an important step forward.
"The fact that he has gone to River is more demanding than playing in France," martinez explained The Millionaire Page. "That's what he needs. The pressure of a big and important club."
According to Martínez, hope around the river can fuel youth development. This will help Chelsea.
"Playing for River requires a lot of character and a lot of things that, in my opinion, are more demanding than many European teams"He said. "What he needs is a demanding context that will propel him forward. This is not a step back. This is a very interesting platform for his development."
He also believes that the club's leadership can help Paez mature.
"Marcelo Gallardo will be very important. I don't know him personally, but I admire his ability to lead and develop talent", He said. "It makes a lot of sense that Kendari chose Rivers because of the challenge and because of the coach's reputation. Kendry needs affection. He likes being close to the coach.”
Our take: The perfect place to bloom
This current loan at River Plate represents another step in the carefully managed development of a player who made his professional debut in Ecuador aged just 15.
Kendry Paez is still adjusting to a new league and a new tactical context. But his early statistics in Argentina underpin that process with some positives, and the assist against Sarmiento signals the first sign of momentum.
It's fair to say that Liam Rosenior will not be active His 'surprising' reminiscence section anytime soon. If the creative midfielder continues to thrive in one of South America's most demanding environments, Chelsea will hope the River experience will sharpen the qualities that have made him one of the most coveted teenage prospects on the continent.
🇦🇷 Ian Subiabre | Chelsea groundwork faces new challenge ➡️ Arsenal's strength for wonderkidhttps://t.co/qFhasGbytm #cfc #afc
- Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026
