Chelsea striker slammed by manager: If players can’t follow instructions, we’ll find others who do!

Robin Bairner

15 Dec 2025 11:37 GMT
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Kendry Paez, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea wonderkid Kendry Paez has been given a stark warning by Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior that he must improve or face the consequences.

Article continues under the video

Paez arrived at Chelsea in the summer only to be loaned out to BlueCo sister club Strasbourg.

There was a great deal of excitement at Stamford Bridge over the potential of the young Ecuador striker, who was signed as a 16-year-old but was only able to move to Europe last summer.

Current ETV

Kendry Páez

AM (C), M (CR)

Strasbourg

Kendry Páez

AM (C), M (CR)

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€13.4M - €16.4M

Although Paez is a full international player with 23 caps to his credit, he has struggled with the transition to European football. He has scored only one goal for Racing across all competitions this season while picking up two yellow cards in the process.

Rosenior has been left cool on the youngster’s performances while on loan in France and went public with his criticism following a 0-0 home draw with Lorient on Sunday. It was a result that means Strasbourg have scored only once in their last four league matches.

What did Liam Rosenior say about Kendry Paez?

“There are no more excuses now that they're getting playing time. We expect more, clearly. I'm fed up with using the excuse of the players' youth,” Rosenior grumbled after the game, also referencing Juan Enciso, who is expected to move to Chelsea next summer.

“If the players don't follow instructions, no problem, we'll find others who do. At some point, we have to be more demanding about performance. There were several situations that should have given us great opportunities if everyone had followed the positioning instructions. It's unacceptable and it has to change for the second half of the season. I want players who do what they're asked to do on the field.”

Paez the latest victim of Rosenior’s no-nonsense approach

Rosenior has already shown a willingness to take a hard-line approach to underperforming or misbehaving stars.

Emmanuel Emegha, who will join Chelsea next summer, was frozen out for a game for disciplinary reasons, despite being the club’s leading scorer last season.

Former England U20 international Martial Godo and France U21 midfielder Felix Lemarechal have been similarly sanctioned.

Paez is now at a turning point in his career, with the Strasbourg boss giving him no room for error.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store