Chelsea starlet’s loan terminated days before transfer window closes amid mocking claims

Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez has had his loan spell with River Plate terminated, talkSPORT understands.

Paez spent the first half of the 2025/26 season at Strasbourg before moving to Argentina in January on a one-year loan deal.

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However, the Ecuadorian international played only 461 minutes of football over 14 appearances in all competitions for Los Millonarios.

The 19-year-old is now heading back to Chelsea, whom he joined from Independiente del Valle last summer.

Both he and the Premier League club are discussing his next steps.

Paez addresses mocking claims

Towards the end of his time at River Plate, Paez seemed to irk fans with a post on social media.

River Plate were knocked out of the Copa Sudamerica on penalties in the last 16 by Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe.

According to Radio Gol, a post that appeared to be attributed to Paez was eyed as a dig at the club and his teammates following the defeat.

He was not involved in either leg against Santa Fe as he was part of a group of players training away from the first team.

Paez then posted on his Instagram to publicly deny making the post.

It translated to: “I have seen that a story that I supposedly published after the game is circulating on networks and I wanted to clarify that that publication never left my account.

“I don’t usually go out to clarify this kind of thing, but in this case I felt it was important to do it out of respect for River, my colleagues and all the people who accompanied me during this time.

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“I would never post something to make fun of a result or a difficult moment of the team.”

Paez could feature for Chelsea’s newly-named Cobham Next Gen sides this season, or have a third loan spell away from the club.

Chelsea summer business continues

With the September 1 transfer deadline looming, Chelsea are working hard to finalise their incomings and outgoings.

Emiliano Martínez is due to join from Aston Villa in a £7.5million move and sign a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are also now in talks with Monaco over a move to sign Lamine Camara, who has been eyed as a potential replacement for the Manchester City-linked Enzo Fernandez.

AS Monaco man Camara is available for between £50m and £60m, with Chelsea hoping to bank double this amount for Fernandez.