Former Ecuador national team coach Jorge Célico has strongly criticized the career advice given to young prospect Kendry Páez following his brief and unsuccessful loan spell at River Plate. In an interview with DSports Radio reported by El Universo Deportes, Célico labeled it a mistake to skip key developmental stages for the forward, who now plays for Chelsea's under-21 team.
Meanwhile, La Tri prepares for its next qualifying match after an irregular start to the group stage. Ecuador currently sits third in their World Cup group with 4 points from three games, having won one, drawn one, and lost one. Their goal difference is zero, having scored two and conceded two. The team is coming off two consecutive losses, including a 2-0 defeat to Mexico on July 1st, and aims to get back on track against South Korea on September 24.
What did Jorge Célico say about Kendry Páez?
Jorge Célico, who coached Páez in the Ecuador U17 side, did not hesitate to point out flaws in the planning of the 19-year-old's career. The Argentine manager was blunt in his assessment. "For me, Kendry is not well advised. He has the conditions; I had him in the U17s." Célico told the Argentine radio station.
The former Tricolor boss directly linked Páez's adaptation problems at River Plate to an improper acceleration of his process. Páez joined the Argentine giants on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season, but his performance did not meet expectations and he returned to England before the year ended, failing to establish himself.
Why was the River Plate move a mistake?
According to Célico's analysis, the main failure was bypassing essential formative milestones. The coach argues these experiences are fundamental for the footballing maturity of any young talent. "It was a mistake that they skipped steps with him; he didn't play in the U20 World Cup for that category." he explained.
This omission, in the expert's view, deprived Páez of a vital international competition for his growth, leaving him without the necessary competitive tools to face the immediate challenge at a demanding club like River Plate. The direct jump to a high-level first team, without that intermediate step, proved counterproductive.
What is the current context for the Ecuador national team?
The debate over the handling of young stars comes at a time of reflection for the national team. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the Ecuadorian Football Federation and the current coaching staff are analyzing every detail to maximize their squad's potential. Their performance in the qualifiers, where Ecuador is two points behind leader Germany, shows there is room for improvement.
Fans can closely follow the team's evolution and the potential future call-up of players like Páez through our stats page and the official squad list. The upcoming match window will be decisive for solidifying their position in the standings.
What's next for Kendry Páez?
After the experience in Argentina, Kendry Páez's immediate future is being written in London. His challenge now is to earn a place in Chelsea's youth ranks and prove that the talent Célico saw in the U17s can flourish with patience and a proper plan. His case serves as an example for other precocious talents from Ecuador's youth system.
The focus of Ecuadorian football, however, is also on the match against South Korea, a key duel to regain confidence before the year ends. The team will travel to Asian soil on September 24th seeking three vital points.
