New Chelsea signing Kendry Paez has been spotted training with Strasbourg ahead of a potential loan move.
The Ecuador international is finally set to join Chelsea this summer, two years after signing for the club. Due to his age, Paez had to remain with boyhood club Independiente del Valle, but he will be allowed to head to England in the upcoming window.
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The wonderkid turns 18 in May and he has already had a training stint with Chelsea to help him get a first taste of the level of play in the Premier League.
The upcoming season will be Paez’s first in European football, so the Blues are keen to ensure a smooth transition for the young attacker, although his transfer has been almost forgotten due to the excitement over fellow talent Estevao.
The Brazilian is regarded as arguably the biggest talent in South America and will also join Chelsea this summer. In fact, Estevao is expected to immediately assume a key role in Enzo Maresca’s first team, which has caused some concerns over Paez’s immediate future at Stamford Bridge.
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Paez heading to Strasbourg?
A hint as to where the Ecuadorian’s future might lie has now been provided. Paez has been spotted training with BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that this is part of his integration process.
The Italian transfer expert states that this stint is supposed to help Paez come to grips with the methods of Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, which suggests that – unless Chelsea are planning to sack Maresca and replace him with the Englishman – the teenager could be playing in Ligue 1 next season.
Un nouveau joueur 😍(Colombien , fraîchement coiffé) participe à la séance .
Kendry Paez 🔵⚪️#RCSA pic.twitter.com/SwmO7ereAP— Le Baron Bleu (@lebaron_bleu) April 8, 2025
Rosenior, of course, has Strasbourg flying in the French top flight, with the Alsatians on course to qualify for the Champions League. This has made the 40-year-old a sought-after commodity and he is under consideration for the vacant Southampton job.
However, if Strasbourg indeed manage to get into the Champions League, Rosenior would be a fool to jump ship for a Championship side, which means that he will likely coach Paez next season – unless Chelsea also qualify as this could lead to a transfer ban between the clubs.
