A lot of criticism has been aimed at BlueCo's transfer strategy and understandably so, as they seem to have put a model in place that is not aimed at long-term success. That being said, they have gotten some things right during their three-plus-year run at Chelsea so far. One of them has to be the signing of Estevao.
A lot of top clubs were interested in Estevao, but Chelsea did enough to win the race for his signature. The Brazilian wonderkid has not disappointed, immediately adjusting to life in the Premier League.
One could argue that he is Chelsea's most dangerous player right now. The one who gets you out of your seat every time he is on the ball in the final third of the pitch. And the only complaint many have had is that he has not been given enough playing time.
Chelsea had signed another player regarded just as highly as Estevao. Some even believed that he was more first-team-ready than the Brazilian. But unfortunately, things have turned out quite oppositely for him.
Estevao-like Chelsea player looks set to join English club
The player we are talking about is none other than Kendry Paez. A prodigy in his own right, unfortunately, he has struggled to make the adjustment to European football.
Paez's loan spell at Strasbourg has been a failure. He was expected to take Ligue 1 by storm but has looked out of his depth in a top European league, to be very honest.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano (via Simon Phillips), there is an idea to send Paez to an English club to get used to English Football. He won’t remain at Chelsea if recalled.
That would not be a bad idea. Paez is not doing much of note at Strasbourg anyway and could do with a change of scenery right now.
A move to the Championship might not be a bad idea for him. There is a Chelsea icon sitting atop that table right now, who does know a thing or two about getting the best out of youngsters as well. On the other hand, quite a few other teams could do with the mercurial talent of Paez, even if he has not caught up to the pace and physicality of European football yet. That being said, he is still just 18. If or when it clicks, the Ecuadorian international could start delivering on his immense potential.