Over the past four years, it should have become very clear to BlueCo that filling up the squad with youngsters is not the way to go when it comes to building a successful team. And if the Chelsea owners had not learned their lesson by now, they have been provided another reminder today.
Chelsea have spent close to two billion pounds since the BlueCo takeover. Almost all of it has been spent on wonderkids or players in the first few seasons of their careers.
It clearly has not worked out. But the Blues have stuck to their plans. It is not producing the results they would have been hoping for though and it might be time to abandon those plans, whatever they may be.
Kendry Paez was considered one of the best talents in the world when the club signed him. But already, it looks like his career is headed nowhere of note. According to reports, River Plate have just cancelled his loan deal.
Kendry Paez’s second loan cancelled within a year
Paez was sent on loan to Strasbourg at the start of the season. But after a few bright early performances, it did not work out for him in France.
He fell out of the rotation at Strasbourg, then managed by none other than Liam Rosenior, and was recalled in the middle of the campaign.
Paez was then sent on loan to River Plate. For many, this was the perfect move. He got the chance to head back to South America and establish himself at a club where the expectation was to win constantly, just like Chelsea.
Unfortunately, he has failed to meet expectations once again. And one can only wonder where he will be playing his football next season.
Does Paez have a future at Chelsea?
There have been question marks over Paez’s attitude. That dates back to his time at Independiente del Valle, the best team in Ecuador when it comes to developing talent.
He is still 19 years of age. There is time to turn this around. But does he have the right attitude to do that? Or will this prove to be another one of those ‘what could have been’ stories?
One would imagine that Xabi Alonso would want to have a look in pre-season. But it is hard to imagine that he will have a place in his squad for a player who failed to impress at Strasbourg and River Plate.
I do not mean to be negative. But it does feel like Paez will turn out to be one of those South American wonderkids with all the talent in the world, who ended up fulfilling very little of their potential.
