Chelsea recall Kendry Páez and agree season-long loan to River Plate

On Jan 29, 2026, Chelsea reached a full agreement to recall 18-year-old Kendry Páez from Strasbourg and send him on a season-long loan to River Plate, according to Fabrizio Romano. The loan is understood to cover the 2026 South American season and will see Páez play at the Estadio Más Monumental, giving him opportunities in the Argentine Primera División and the Copa Libertadores.

AFP reports the recall was prompted by limited game time at Strasbourg — Páez made just four Ligue 1 starts and 15 appearances in all competitions after joining the French side in summer 2025 — and by new arrivals at the club under the BlueCo multi-club model that would have increased competition for attacking midfield roles.

Chelsea view River Plate as an ideal next step largely because of manager Marcelo Gallardo, who has extended his contract until December 2026 and is credited with developing talents such as Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez. The move is expected to expose Páez to a demanding, trophy-focused environment while remaining culturally closer to home.

The switch also reflects a change in Chelsea’s loan strategy under BlueCo; the club abandoned the original plan to fast-track Páez through Ligue 1 after monitoring his progress from Cobham. Current Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who managed Páez at Strasbourg in the first half of the season, is reported to have informed the decision.

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