Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge. However, his long-awaited appearance came for the club's Under-21 side rather than the first team.
Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign the Ecuadorian attacking midfielder from Independiente del Valle in 2023, when he was just 16. At the time, Paez was regarded as one of South America's brightest young prospects, but his development has not progressed as quickly as expected.
Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club's newly renamed Under-21 team, coming on as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 victory away to Arsenal.
His return to Chelsea follows new manager Xabi Alonso's admission that Paez was "not in my plans", while the club has listed the Ecuador international as an academy player on its website.
Chelsea explored the possibility of finding Paez a loan move in England, but FIFA regulations prevented another overseas switch after the club filled all six of its available international loan slots.
For a player with 27 Ecuador caps, a World Cup appearance this summer and a reputation that once placed him alongside Chelsea team-mate Estevao Willian among South America's leading young talents, his current situation represents a significant change in trajectory.
Paez's early career suggested he was destined for the highest level.
At 15, he became the youngest debutant and goalscorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history before featuring in the Copa Libertadores later that season.
His rise continued internationally. In 2023, aged 16 years and 131 days, Paez made his second appearance for Ecuador and became the second-youngest South American player to feature in World Cup qualifying after Diego Maradona.
A month later, he became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifier, finding the net in Ecuador's 2-1 victory away to Bolivia.
Those achievements helped convince Chelsea that they were investing in an exceptional prospect. The club allowed Paez to train regularly with the first team before he was officially eligible to join following his 18th birthday.
Chelsea also provided security for Paez, his family and the family of international team-mate Moises Caicedo after violence broke out in Ecuador in early 2024.
A few months later, however, Paez was filmed inside a New York strip club while away on international duty.
Paez initially showed promise after joining Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan, winning the French top flight's Young Player of the Month award for September.
His progress soon stalled, however, and then-manager Liam Rosenior publicly demanded more from the youngster.
"We expect more, clearly," Rosenior said later that season. "I'm tired of using the excuse of the player's youth."
Despite the ownership links between Strasbourg and Chelsea, Paez's loan was cut short after he scored once in 21 appearances.
He subsequently joined Argentine giants River Plate on a two-year loan, but again struggled to establish himself.
Sources in Argentina raised concerns about his attitude, pointing in particular to a disappointing performance during a 1-0 Superclasico defeat by Boca Juniors at the Monumental in April.
Soon afterwards, River Plate president Stefano Di Carlo named Paez among 15 players training away from the first team, although other sources believed the midfielder deserved more opportunities.
His loan was eventually terminated by mutual consent after he scored once in 14 appearances, totalling just 461 minutes.
The situation has also caused concern in Ecuador, where Paez had previously been celebrated as the country's next major attacking talent.
Independiente del Valle owner Michel Deller acknowledged the youngster's difficulties while maintaining hope that he can rediscover his best form.
"He's like a son to us. We care about him deeply," Deller said.
"He's a good kid who's had a tough time and has made decisions that have complicated his life.
"We are always hopeful he'll show his exceptional talent once again but right now, it's up to him to decide what to do with his life."
Those around Paez and figures at Chelsea do not completely dismiss the concerns surrounding his development. However, there is also a belief that some of the criticism has been overstated and that a 19-year-old should be given time to mature both as a footballer and as a person.
There have already been glimpses of the ability that persuaded Chelsea to invest heavily in Paez.
During Cobham Next Gen's EFL Trophy defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, the Ecuadorian delivered an outswinging cross from a short-corner routine that Harrison Bettoni converted in added time.
Paez then produced another dangerous delivery as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser in front of a crowd of 778.
It was a positive late contribution on a difficult evening. Before kick-off, the Spanish-speaking midfielder appeared largely separate from his academy team-mates. Although he joined the warm-up, he mostly kept to himself before entering the match in the 62nd minute.
Paez was initially a peripheral figure while operating as a right-sided No 10, similar to Cole Palmer's role, within a system designed to mirror Alonso's back-three formation. His influence increased significantly during the closing stages.
Despite his age, Paez is far from inexperienced. He made 70 appearances for Independiente del Valle and has already accumulated more than 100 senior appearances across club and international football.
Chelsea have also been encouraged by his attitude since his return to Cobham, where he can now train in a stable, elite environment while the club monitors his development closely.
His family have remained around him and attended his recent appearance at Wycombe, providing further stability as he attempts to rebuild momentum.
Playing regularly for Chelsea's academy could also create new opportunities. Scouts from across the English Football League and beyond frequently attend youth matches, giving Paez a platform to attract potential suitors.
Those close to the Ecuador international remain optimistic that he could secure his first loan move in England during the January transfer window. Alternatively, an international loan opportunity could emerge if one of Chelsea's six overseas slots becomes available.
Paez's path to Chelsea's first team has become considerably more complicated than expected when the club agreed to sign him at 16. But at just 19, there remains plenty of time for one of South America's most highly rated young talents to rediscover the form that first made him such a coveted prospect.
