Alonso rules out Paez first-team role as Chelsea midfield injury crisis deepens

Xabi Alonso has ruled Kendry Paez out of Chelsea’s first-team plans for the foreseeable future, with the 19-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder stranded at Stamford Bridge after a loan move abroad could not be arranged before the British transfer window shut.

Paez returned to London following the early termination of his loan spell at River Plate, where he managed just 469 minutes across 2026 and recorded two goal contributions. His last appearance for the Argentine club was a 13-minute cameo in late May.

When asked directly whether Paez could feature for Chelsea’s first team before January, Alonso was unequivocal. “No, no. He is not part of the plans. At the moment, he is not part of the first team squad,” the manager said, according to a report from The Athletic.

The timing is notable. Chelsea are currently without both Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson through injury, leaving Alonso short of options in the middle of the park. Despite that mounting pressure, the Spaniard has shown no intention of fast-tracking Paez into senior contention.

Caicedo’s fellow Ecuadorian has resumed training with the club, but Alonso is not being drawn into rushing him. Henderson, meanwhile, remains sidelined with an injury sustained during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of North America.

Chelsea signed Paez in July 2025 in a deal worth over £17 million, and the teenager has yet to make a competitive appearance for the club. Following his arrival, he spent time on loan at both River Plate and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, making 20 appearances for the French club across a combined 711 minutes and scoring once.

Paez did receive international minutes during the 2026 World Cup, featuring in Ecuador’s Round of 32 defeat to Mexico, though he was unused across all three group stage matches.

With the British window now closed, a January loan — most likely within England, based on Alonso’s comments — appears the most probable next step for the teenager. Until then, he remains outside Chelsea’s first-team picture entirely.