Xabi Alonso drops update on Kendry Paez's future

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that midfielder Kendry Paez does not feature in his first-team plans at the moment.

The 19-year-old was hailed as one of South America's biggest talents, but he has not progressed as planned in recent years.

He had a difficult loan spell with River Plate earlier this year, and Chelsea recently recalled him before the transfer deadline.

There has been speculation that Paez could feature under Alonso in the coming months, but that has been dismissed.

Alonso told reporters: "At the moment, he is not part of the first-team squad No, no, he's not part of the plans [whether he could play soon]."

Paez looks most certain to be loaned out at the turn of the year. Chelsea have sufficient time to find the best club for him.

While Paez is nowhere near first-team contention at Chelsea, Estevao has established himself as a regular and could start in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Leeds United tonight.