Chelsea have been dealt a fresh injury headache as highly-rated loanee Kendry Paez suffered a serious shoulder injury while playing for River Plate.
The 18-year-old Ecuador international joined River on loan late in the January transfer window after being recalled from a stint at Strasbourg, but is already facing a stint on the sidelines having made just two appearances for the legendary Argentine outfit.
He came on at half-time as River lost to Velez Sarsfield on Sunday, but lasted just 25 minutes before coming off.
River were trailing 1-0 at the break after an early opener from ex-West Ham star Manuel Lanzini, and Paez went close to scoring an equaliser, drawing a smart save from the Sarsfield ‘keeper eight minutes after coming on.
But that was the extent of his involvement, as he came off after landing awkwardly following an aerial duel with Claudio Baeza.
He immediately signalled to the bench that he was in pain and attempted to play on after receiving treatment, but was ultimately replaced.
Paez was pictured post-match with his left arm in a bulky, padded sling, with an ice pack also strapped to his shoulder.
The extent of his injury has not yet been confirmed, though he will hope to recover in time to represent Ecuador at this summer’s World Cup.
Paez numbers among the various young talents to have come through the door at Chelsea since BlueCo’s takeover, but he is yet to live up to his billing.
Chelsea pipped the likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund to the youngster’s signature and his move was made official ahead of last summer’s Club World Cup. He joined up and trained with the Blues squad in the United States, but did not make an appearance at the tournament.
He began this season on loan at Strasbourg, making 22 appearances for the Alsace club, then managed by Liam Rosenior, before being reassigned to crisis-stricken River, who have slumped to tenth place in the Argentine Primera Division.
Paez will return to Chelsea when his loan spell expires upon the completion of the Argentine domestic campaign in December.
