chelsea It appears they have finalized the next step for Kendry Paez, with another loan move expected after the World Cup. The club continues to search for the right environment for the Ecuadorian to develop, and Ipswich Town can provide this.
After tough spells at Strasbourg and River Plate, the 19-year-old is not expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2026-27 season. Instead, attention has already shifted to his next destination.
Whereas Atletico Mineiro remain in the pictureA newly-promoted Premier League club has also emerged as a possible option.
Chelsea are already considering the next step
According to the report of bolavip ecuadorChelsea have decided that Páez will go out on loan again. But this will happen only when he returns from international duty.
The midfielder remains under a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, but another temporary move is seen as the best solution after a disappointing first year in Europe.
His spell at Strasbourg failed to provide regular football. During this time, River Plate opted to end its loan early Deciding that he would no longer be a part of Eduardo Cudet's plans. So Chelsea is now looking for a fresh start.
Ipswich Town offers an interesting alternative
This latest report names three clubs interested in Paez.
Atlético Mineiro continued to assess a move after the player's representatives offered him a move to the Brazilian club. The discussion is still in the initial stage. Belgian side KV Mechelen have also been credited with interest. However, the extraordinary name is ipswich town.
Having won promotion back to the Premier League, Ipswich could offer Chelsea something that neither Strasbourg nor River could. This is a chance for Páez to adapt to English football without the immediate pressure of joining Chelsea's own team.
For a player who is expected to eventually make a career in England, spending a season in the Premier League could represent a very different development path. It will be different from any other move elsewhere in Europe or South America.
Whether Ipswich will be able to guarantee the minutes Chelsea are looking for is another question, but it is easy to see the sporting logic behind such a move.
The Blues invested approximately €23 million (£19.6 million) in Paez, believing they had signed one of South America's brightest prospects. After loans at Strasbourg and River failed to produce the expected progress, the next step looks to be the most important of his young career so far.
