The decision to recall the France midfielder was driven by a lack of consistent opportunities at the Stade de la Meinau. Since joining Strasbourg in the summer of 2025, he has managed just four Ligue 1 starts in the first half of the season. Although he made 15 appearances in all competitions, his development was considered to be stagnating due to insufficient minutes on the pitch.
Romano reports that another key factor in the withdrawal is the arrival of new talent in Strasbourg. As part of BlueCo’s multi-club model, the French team is set to integrate new recruits during this window, which would have increased competition for places in attacking midfield roles. Chelsea officials, monitoring the situation from Cobham, decided that keeping Páez in a rotating role at Alsace would be detrimental to his growth. The withdrawal allows Strasbourg to focus on their incoming reinforcements while freeing up Páez to join a team where he is expected to take on a more leading role.
