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Reports suggest that Chelsea’s teenage talent is set to return to Stamford Bridge – but questions remain over his next move.

The Blues, known for their ever-expanding roster of signings and loan players, have struggled in recent years to integrate world-class prospects into a consistent top-tier squad.

Despite their heavy investment, Chelsea finished 10th in the 2025/26 Premier League season, trailing clubs such as Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland and Bournemouth.

One of their much-hyped young loanees, once dubbed Chelsea’s ‘lottery ticket’, now seems destined to join the list of transfer disappointments as the club faces a tough summer of decisions.

Chelsea’s so-called ‘lottery ticket’, Kendry Paez, appears far from hitting the jackpot following a frustrating loan spell at River Plate.

The Ecuadorian midfielder, who was previously loaned to RC Strasbourg, has struggled to make an impression in Argentina, starting only three matches since his loan began in January.

According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are now expected to recall Paez after the World Cup, with reports from Argentina suggesting the youngster has already played his final match for River Plate.

It remains unclear whether the Blues hold the contractual option to recall Paez midway through his loan deal, but it seems improbable that either club will oppose such a move.

The 19-year-old, however, has received a major opportunity for redemption after being named in Ecuador’s 2026 World Cup squad by head coach Sebastian Beccacece.

Paez was completely omitted from River Plate’s recent Apertura playoff fixtures, meaning he will head into the North American tournament with very limited recent playing time.

Across his loan tenure, Paez has accumulated fewer than 500 minutes on the pitch, featuring in 11 games as a substitute alongside his three starts.

The midfielder also endured a challenging spell in Ligue 1 last season, making only 15 appearances between July 2025 and his January switch to River Plate.

Although still young, Paez’s inability to establish himself in two leagues of comparatively lower intensity raises doubts about his readiness for Premier League football.

With Xabi Alonso now at the helm at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are expected to reassess Paez’s development and long-term prospects following the World Cup, as the club continues to grapple with how best to manage the teenager’s career progression.