“Shock of confidence” – Chelsea youngster reacts to criticism
Chelsea youngster Kendry Páez has delivered the perfect response to recent criticism, scoring his first goal for River Plate just days after a difficult Superclásico outing.
The 18-year-old, on loan from Chelsea, came off the bench against Aldosivi and needed only a handful of minutes to make his mark. Páez scored late in the game to seal the result, finishing into the top corner after a sharp attacking move.
It was his first goal for River, and it arrived at a moment when his role and confidence were both under scrutiny.
Immediate response after criticism
Páez had been heavily criticised following River’s defeat to Boca Juniors, where he struggled to influence the game and was labelled “a soft player” by club legend Reinaldo Merlo.
However, manager Eduardo Coudet kept faith with the youngster, and the Ecuadorian responded in the most direct way possible.
He entered the pitch late on and showed composure beyond his age. After a well-timed run and a precise through ball, Páez cut inside onto his left foot and produced a composed finish into the corner.
Interpretations of a big moment
According to Argentine outlet Olethe goal was not just decisive, but symbolic. The report describes how he had waited, wanted and even dreamed of that first goal since arriving at River, finally breaking his drought in his eighth appearance for the club.
The outlet further frames the moment as a “shock of confidence” for the youngster, especially with the final stretch of the season approaching and the World Cup on the horizon.
Crucially, Olé also links this phase of his career back to Chelsea’s investment, noting that Páez is still searching for the explosive level that earned him an early move to Europe and this high-profile loan arranged by the Premier League club.
Páez is still searching for consistency, but he has now shown he can respond under pressure.
That context reinforces the idea that, even in Argentina, his performances are being measured against the expectations created when Chelsea secured his signing as one of South America’s standout prospects.
It also ended a long wait. Páez had not scored since September last year, when he was still at Strasbourg.
Player reaction – confidence growing
After the match, Kendry Páez himself spoke about the significance of the moment and his desire to build on it.
“I’m very happy, to be honest. I’m happy to score my first goal with this shirt. I hope there are many more and to always give joy to the fans,” he said.
The Chelsea-owned midfielder also revealed he had been waiting for that moment, even planning how he would celebrate it.
“I had said it in training, with my teammates, that when I scored my first goal I was going to dance. It just came out naturally,” he added.
What it means for Chelsea and the loan
Kendry Páez’s loan spell at River has been inconsistent so far. He has gone from being a decisive substituteto facing criticism, and now to scoring his first goal.
That volatility is part of the development process, but moments like this can shift momentum quickly.
For River, it provides a reminder of his quality. And for Chelsea, it offers encouragement that their long-term investment is beginning to find its rhythm again.
