Kendry Paez has returned to Cobham after River Plate terminated his loan spell in Argentina, but Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made clear that the 19-year-old will play no part in the Blues' first-team plans before January.

Alonso confirmed the decision when asked directly about Paez's prospects for a first-team role. "No, no. He is not part of the plans. At the moment, he is not part of the first team squad," the Spaniard told The Athletic.

Chelsea had intended to send Paez on another loan for the 2026/27 campaign, but the club failed to secure a suitable arrangement before the British transfer window shut. According to Alonso's remarks, a January loan move — this time within England — now appears the most likely outcome.

A limited run with River Plate

Paez managed just 469 minutes across his time at River Plate in 2026, contributing two goal involvements. His final appearance for the club came in late May — a 13-minute substitute cameo.

The Ecuadorian has not featured for Chelsea since the Blues signed him in July 2025 for a fee exceeding £17 million. Prior to his River Plate stint, he spent time on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, where he made 20 appearances totalling 711 minutes and scored once.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Paez picked up minutes in Ecuador's Round of 32 defeat against Mexico, though he was absent from all three of their group stage fixtures.

Midfield injuries add pressure

Alonso's decision to keep Paez out of first-team contention arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for Chelsea. Both Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson are currently sidelined through injury, leaving the Blues short of options in the centre of the pitch.

Caicedo has resumed training, yet Alonso has resisted the temptation to rush the fellow Ecuadorian back into competitive action. Henderson, meanwhile, remains unavailable after picking up an injury during Chelsea's pre-season fixtures in North America.

Chelsea return to action in the Carabao Cup this evening, hosting Leeds United at 8pm BST.