Chelsea Secures Loan Deal for Ecuadorian Midfielder Paez to River Plate

omidbasir- Chelsea has quickly resolved the future of one of South America’s most promising talents. According to reports by Fabrizio Romano, the club has formally agreed to a season-long loan deal with River Plate, allowing Ecuadorian midfielder Paez to showcase his skills at the Estadio Mas Monumental. Initially placed at sister club Strasbourg to adapt to European football, the shift to the competitive landscape of Argentine football indicates Chelsea’s intention for him to pursue immediate trophy contention. This loan arrangement will cover the 2026 South American season, providing Paez with the opportunity to compete regularly in both the Argentine Primera Division and the esteemed Copa Libertadores.

The decision to recall Paez from France arose due to a lack of consistent playing time at Stade de la Meinau. Since joining Strasbourg in the summer of 2025, he has only started four matches in Ligue 1 during the first half of the season. Despite making 15 appearances across all competitions, his progress was hindered by insufficient minutes on the pitch.

Romano notes that the arrival of new players at Strasbourg played a significant role in the recall. As part of the BlueCo multi-club model, the French club is set to incorporate fresh talent during this transfer window, which would intensify competition for positions in the attacking midfield area. Chelsea officials, observing the situation from Cobham, determined that maintaining Paez in a rotational role in Alsace would be counterproductive to his development. This recall allows Strasbourg to concentrate on their incoming reinforcements while enabling Paez to join a squad where he is anticipated to assume a more central role.

Chelsea views River Plate as the ideal environment for the next stage of Paez’s career, particularly under the stewardship of manager Marcelo Gallardo. The legendary coach, who recently extended his contract until December 2026, has a commendable history of nurturing creative talents like Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez, preparing them for the rigors of elite football.

Joining River Plate provides Paez with a competitive setting that mirrors the intensity of top European leagues while remaining culturally closer to home. The opportunity to play under Gallardo, affectionately known as “El Muneco,” was reportedly a pivotal factor for Chelsea. They believe that Gallardo’s demanding coaching style will help reshape the young player’s work ethic and tactical awareness, similar to the successful transformations seen with previous River Plate exports in the Premier League.

This transfer underscores Chelsea’s adaptive loan management under BlueCo ownership. The original plan to expedite Paez’s development through the French league has been altered in favor of a more tailored approach. This bold decision comes particularly in light of current Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s experience working with Paez at Strasbourg during the first half of the season. Rosenior’s firsthand knowledge likely influenced the conclusion that a change of environment was essential for the player’s growth.

With the spotlight now shifting to Argentina, Paez, once regarded as a generational talent since his emergence at Independiente del Valle, will transition from the relegation struggles of Ligue 1 to the title challenges in South America.